SADA Organization Warns that Legal Security for Journalists at Unprecedented Risk and Appeals to the Presidential Council to Intervene

Statement
The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters (SADA) is deeply concerned about the illegal judicial actions affecting several journalists and human rights defenders in Yemen. These actions are based on directives from certain judicial officials or court presidents in various provinces.
SADA warns that these illegal measures pose a genuine threat that undermines the principle of legal security for journalists ,exacerbating the war against them and plunging Yemen into an unprecedented existential threat to freedom of the press, opinion, and expression, especially in these challengin situation our country is experiencing.
Sada has received reports from several journalists in provinces controlled by the internationally recognized government. These reports indicate the ongoing trials of 10 Yemeni journalists over publication issues, all of which are being reviewed by specialized criminal courts We categorically reject the use of these courts to prosecute journalists or handle their publication-related cases.
The signing of a lawsuit by some members of the Marib Court against the head of the Shumou Foundation, Saif Al-Hadheri, under pressure from the court president (according to Al-Hadheri's report), the continued trial of three journalists in Marib, the transfer of journalist Basem Al-Shaabi's case from the Press and Publications Prosecution in Aden to the specialized criminal court, and the referral of a human rights defender’s file in Aden to the same court, along with the trials of other journalists in Hadramout and Shabwa, and what resulted from the unfair trial of journalist Ahmed Maher in Aden (as reported by his defense lawyer ) – all these cases and procedures must cease out of respect for the law by the judiciary and its representatives.
We, in SADA Organization and the Legal Protection Project for Journalists in Yemen (Daman), call and urge the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and its members to fulfill their duty to protect freedom of the press, opinion, and expression. These freedoms are the cornerstone of peace, social harmony, development, construction, and public awareness ,Respecting these freedoms reflects the awareness of politicians, the democracy of nations, and the culture of peoples.
We warn that inaction by the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and its members to stop this fierce campaign targeting journalists by some judiciary representatives is a dangerous indicator that must not persist. We hope for a positive stance towards this call.
We urge journalists to defend themselves. This hostile environment and the increased hostility necessitate greater solidarity within the journalistic community and intensified media advocacy campaigns for their cases.
We call on supporters of freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and expression, and human rights defenders worldwide to support Yemeni journalists, take swift actions, particularly in legal support and media advocacy, and exert pressure on Yemeni authorities to stop these abuses.
Issued by:
The National Organization if Yemeni Reporters ( SADA)
Sunday, May 19, 2024.