Press Conference: Release of Annual Media Freedoms Violations Report 2024
At a Press Conference:
Media Freedoms Observatory Reveals Grave Violations Against Journalists in Yemen: Trials Where Law is Absent!
The Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen released an extensive human rights report today, Thursday, March 20, shedding light on the media landscape in Yemen and the challenges faced by male and female journalists and media workers.
The Report documented 98 violations in 2024, including serious crimes such as Al-Qaeda’s admission to executing journalist Mohammed Al-Maqri. Other recorded violations included 15 arrests, 6 temporary detentions, 3 physical assaults, 17 threats, and 40 cases of interrogation and trial before unauthorized entities. Additionally, a Houthi-controlled court sentenced journalist Taha Al-Maamari to death and confiscated his property without any legal basis.
The Report also revealed the targeting of six media outlets, including the bombing of “Raymah” and “Hodeidah FM” radio stations by U.S. airstrikes, along with nine other violations.
Moreover, the Report conducted a legal analysis of cases involving journalists facing unfair trials, exposing legal abuses by security and judicial authorities, which have severely impacted press freedom in Yemen.
The Executive Manager of the Observatory, Mohammed Ismail, disclosed that journalists in Yemen have suffered 2,613 violations over the past decade, with the Houthis responsible for 1,881 of them, including the blocking of over 200 news websites, effectively eliminating independent and opposition media in their territories. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government in Aden was responsible for 342 violations, making journalism in its areas equally hazardous.
The analysis of journalists’ cases highlighted severe legal flaws in trials, where charges are brought without clear evidence. Journalists are tried in unauthorized courts, denied the right to defend themselves, and forced to sign unfair pledges, significantly undermining media freedoms.
Jinte Wendman, Security and Law Enforcement Officer at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Yemen, emphasized that the situation remains dire, with no significant improvement compared to previous years.
She stated: “The indicators are negative, but through our cooperation to support journalists, we strive to achieve any future success for an independent Yemeni press.”
She also reaffirmed that the Dutch commitment to supporting press freedom and human rights in Yemen, working with the Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC) since 2021 to enhance these efforts and positively impact journalism in the country.
Despite the documented violations, perpetrators continue to evade accountability.
The Observatory demanded the formation of an independent international and local investigation committee to probe crimes against journalists and establish effective legal mechanisms to end impunity.
The report also recommended the Establishing a specialized court to handle press and digital publishing cases in various provinces, appointing specialized prosecutors to investigate press-related crimes, and ensuring journalists and media institutions can operate freely and independently.
The Report also revealed the continued detention of six journalists, five of whom are held in Houthi prisons namely: Wahid Al-Sufi, Mohammed Al-Miyahi, Nabil Al-Saddawi, Mohammed Al-Hatami, and Ahmed Awadhah.
Another journalist remains detained in the Yemeni government’s prisons in Aden, under the control of the Southern Transitional Council.
The report warned that media freedoms in Yemen continue to decline, with increasing violations and persistent impunity for perpetrators. It urged immediate international intervention to protect journalists and halt violations threatening press freedom in the country.
🔗 Full Report in Arabic & English:
📌 Arabic Version
📌 English Version