(6) Cases of violation of media freedoms, July2024

The Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen released its monthly report “Infographic” on the status of media freedoms and the arbitrary practices against journalists and media outlets, documented (6) cases during July 2024.

The violations recorded by the Observatory have varied one arrest and Detention and Assault and Preventing from filming and interrogation and the prosecution of journalist over media activity.

The Observatory recorded violations in the governorates of Aden and Taiz and Hodeidah and Marib.

Censorship and Crackdown Campaigns in Aden

The governorate of Aden is witnessing an unprecedented systematic arbitrary violations and practices against journalists and those working in the field of freedom of opinion and expression. In this context, journalist Fahmy Al-Alimi was arrested on July 18 by a security force affiliated with the Aden Security Belt Forces while walking in the Sheikh Othman district, due to his media activities. He remained in detention for five days before being released after obligated to write a commitment to not work for any media outlet without obtaining prior approval from the Southern Media Authority affiliated with the STC in Aden.

This Authority prevents any dissident journalist or non-affiliated media to work in its areas of control, especially in Aden, where its headquarters in. This Authority is considered to have no jurisdiction and has exceeded its recognized powers, imposing numerous restrictions on journalistic work to silence anyone who disagrees with it.

Additionally, journalist Saleh Al-Hanshi is still being pursued by the Press and Publication Prosecution in Aden due to his journalistic activities related to issues of corruption and nepotism, including recently addressing the exploitation of positions by judges and officials to manipulate cases in their favor.

The situation facing journalists in Aden is extremely difficult, hindering their ability to practice their journalistic and media work freely and neutrally. The Yemeni government and the security agencies affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) bear responsibility for these violations, increasing the challenges facing journalism and freedom of expression in the region.