Joint Press Statement on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day – May 3, 2025

Joint Press Statement on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day – May 3, 2025

Journalism in Yemen: Trapped Between Repression, Suppression, and Absence of Justice

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm that freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by international conventions and national laws. We strongly reject all violations and practices targeting journalists and press freedom in Yemen, under any justification or pretext aimed at suppressing the truth.

For nearly a decade, journalists in Yemen have endured a reality marked by repression, persecution, and the suffocation of freedoms. Violations persist—including killings and extrajudicial executions—to the extent that a large number of journalists and media workers refrain from disclosing their profession out of fear of retaliation or surveillance.

Unfortunately, the past year (2024) witnessed a dangerous continuation of repression and silencing of journalists and media outlets in Yemen, amid a breakdown of justice, persistent impunity, and complete disregard for even the minimal standards of free expression. The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate documented 101 violations against media freedoms, including abductions, arrests, prosecutions, assaults, confiscations, incitement, and politically motivated trials.

Despite repeated calls, four Yemeni journalists remain abducted or forcibly disappeared to this day:

1- Waheed Alsaufi – forcibly disappeared since 2015 by the Houthi group in Sana’a.

2- Nasseh Shaker – forcibly disappeared since November 2023 in the interim capital, Aden.

3- Nabil Alsaddawi – abducted by the Houthi group since 2015.

4- Mohammed Almeyahi – abducted by the Houthi group since September 2024 in Sana’a.

From early 2015 to April 2025, The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters SADA documented the killing of 65 journalists, media professionals, and workers in both local and international media outlets—independent or affiliated. These include 63 confirmed killings, according to SADA’s human rights report "Assassination of the Truth" published in early 2024.

Worse still, the toll of victims has not ceased. Violations and abuses against Yemeni journalists continued throughout 2024. Notably, journalist Mohammed Qaed Al-Muqri was executed, as claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula on December 28, 2024—an act that sparked condemnation from dozens of local and international organizations, including the Yemeni Journalists Protection Network.

Most recently, filmmaker and director Mussab Al-Hattami was killed on Saturday, April 26, 2025, after being hit by a projectile fired by Houthi's in Marib government.

The conflict in Yemen has led to increased politicization of the judiciary, turning it into a tool to suppress journalists. This has resulted in politically motivated and unfair trials, including death sentences. For example, in 2020, the Houthi-controlled Criminal Court in Sana’a sentenced four journalists to death. Although they were later released in a prisoner exchange, their legal cases remain open, and on April 5, 2025, the Special Criminal Prosecution in Sana'a issued an indictment against journalist Mohammed Almeyahi that lacks any legal basis. Moreover, the charges it contains clearly indicate that it is a purely political decision—one we categorically reject.

In Aden, Hadramawt, Shabwa, and Marib, journalists—including women—have faced trials on publishing-related charges, resulting in prison sentences and fines. Among them are journalist Mona Al-Majeedi and journalist Ali Al-Aubathani. In addition, some armed groups continue to carry out abductions and torture of journalists outside the framework of law and state authority.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group continues to target journalists and those who defend them in areas under its control, and it is preventing them from working outside the confines of the group’s propaganda and ideological narratives.

Article 42 of the Yemeni Constitution affirms that “every citizen has the right to freedom of thought and expression.” Yemen is also a party to seven of the nine core international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference and to freedom of expression (Article 19). As a signatory to these instruments, Yemen is legally obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of individuals within its jurisdiction.

On this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we renew our call to open safe spaces for free expression, remove restrictions that hinder journalists, and enable them to carry out their mission of conveying truth without fear. We urge the creation of a free and transparent media environment that promotes integrity and the free flow of information—away from violations and political polarization.

We call on all parties in Yemen to cease acts of repression and violations against journalists and to unconditionally and immediately release all journalists who are arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared.

We, the undersigned organizations, specifically call for the following:

- To the Houthi Group:

1- Immediately and unconditionally release the abducted journalists Nabil Alsaddawi and Mohammed Almeyahi.

2- Reveal the fate of journalist Waheed Alsaufi, forcibly disappeared since 2015.

3- Cease using the judiciary as a weapon to silence and suppress journalists and opinion writers.

4- End the systematic violations and assaults against journalists and allow them to freely practice their profession.

- To the Internationally Recognized Government:

1- Adhere to the international treaties and laws ratified by Yemen concerning freedom of expression and protection of journalists.

2- End arbitrary arrests and politically motivated prosecutions of journalists, and protect media institutions from targeting.

3- Disclose the fate of journalist Nasseh Shaker, forcibly disappeared in Aden.

4- Encourage journalistic work and opinion writing that contribute to fighting corruption and promoting good governance.

5- Resume salary payments to state-employed journalists and media workers and restore their denied rights.

6- Ensure journalists can work freely and safely across all regions and provide them with necessary support.

- To International and Local Organizations:

1- Apply diplomatic pressure on all parties to release abducted journalists and disclose the fate of the forcibly disappeared.

2- Support initiatives for protection, professional rehabilitation, and legal and psychological support for journalists.

3- Promote emergency protection programs and enhance the safety of journalists in Yemen.

4- Develop a comprehensive strategy that fosters effective cooperation and partnership to protect journalists and prevent impunity for crimes committed against them.

Signatories:

1- The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters "SADA"

2- Peace Paths Foundation (PPF)

3- SAM for Rights and Liberties

4- Women Journalists Without Chains

5- Sudanese Journalists Syndicate

6- Free Media Center for

7- Yemen Future for Culture and Media Development

8- Abductees' Mothers Association

9- Zajel Media and Development Organization

10- Barran foundation for media

11- Musawah Organization

12- Qana Foundation for Rights and Media

13- Shohood organization for human rights - Yemen

14- HOCO Civil Orientation Protection Organization

15- American Center for Justice (ACJ)

16- Musaala Organization for Human Rights

17- South24 Center for News and Studies

18- Yemen daily news

19- Mareb press

20- Almahra online

21- The Yemeni scene

22- Almasdaronline

23- Atheer FM Radio

24- Investigative Journalism