Semi-Annual Report Violations Against Freedom of Opinion and Expression for 2024
In Yemen, male and female journalists face immense challenges as they endure severe violations and restrictive pressures that make practicing their profession difficult and fraught with danger. Anyone who criticizes widespread corruption, dire living conditions, or the struggling economy is often accused of serious charges such as terrorism or undermining security, without any legal evidence or definitive proof.
Based on the violations we have documented and the cases monitored by the Media Freedoms Observatory team, it can be said that the ongoing conflicts in the country have led to the misuse of security and judicial authorities to serve the interests of the warring factions. This contributes to the overriding of Yemeni laws and international treaties concerning freedom of opinion, expression, and human rights. This situation reflects the deterioration of press freedom and human rights violations in Yemen.
There is no other way to describe the reality of journalism in Yemen and the resulting practices, which appear systematic and brutal at the same time, except that they aim to intimidate journalists and activists, silencing them from conveying the truth to the people. Journalists are interrogated, investigated, and tried in courts that lack jurisdiction, primarily the Specialized Criminal Courts handling “state security and terrorism” cases. These courts are not designated to address such matters, which should be referred instead to the Press and Publications Courts in accordance with Yemen’s Press and Publications Law No. (25) of 1990.
According to Yemeni law, charges of terrorism, undermining security, forming armed groups, and especially accusations of espionage with foreign countries, are considered serious and unprecedented offenses. These charges could end the life of a journalist and threaten their family. Article 128/2 of the Yemeni Penal Code stipulates the death penalty for “anyone who provides a foreign state or those working in its interest, in any form and by any means, with news, information, items, correspondence, documents, maps, drawings, photographs, or other materials related to government interests, public authorities, or institutions of public benefit, which have been prohibited from publication or dissemination by the relevant authorities.”
The impunity of perpetrators and the lack of accountability exacerbate the targeting of journalists without fear of repercussions. This leads to the escalation of accusations against them with grave charges, often without evidence or proof, and without adherence to Yemeni laws and international treaties.
These violations, which have exceeded 2,500 since 2015, have significantly narrowed the space for media freedoms. Monitoring results reveal that media work in areas controlled by the Yemeni government has become increasingly dangerous due to restrictions imposed on media freedoms by partisan factions and influential figures within the security and military authorities.
The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) is the most significant violator of press freedom. Areas under their control are now devoid of all independent, private, and partisan media outlets. Many journalists have ceased working, some have managed to flee to other areas, while those who remain live in fear and work under pseudonyms.
In the first six months of 2024 alone, the Media Freedoms Observatory documented 38 violations, including 17 cases related to the interrogation and prosecution of journalists.
This report highlights these violations and reflects the current state of press freedom in Yemen, calling on the international community to take urgent action to support journalists’ rights and ensure their safety.
To read the report click here