Violations against Freedom of Speech and Expression in Yemen: First Biannual Report (2023)
The report on media freedom violations in Yemen for the first half of 2023 documented a total of 33 cases of violations against journalists and media institutions. Journalists faced a range of violations, including arrests and brief detentions, as a result of their media activities. Reports have emerged of a concerning trend: deliberate incitement targeting journalists, putting their safety at risk. In a startling development, six journalists have been accused of engaging in espionage activities on behalf of foreign nations. These grave allegations have been propagated by local media outlets associated with the Houthi group.
All warring parties in Yemen are engaged in violations against journalists. Many journalists can no longer work freely, professionally, or report facts without fear for their lives due to the repressive actions taken by these parties.
A number of journalists and media professionals employed in government media institutions have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing negligence displayed by government authorities in meeting their salary obligations. In light of the suspension of their salary payments, individuals have voiced their deep concern regarding the challenging living conditions they are currently facing.
MARSAD has been recently inundated with reports from journalists operating in regions under the control of the Houthi group. These reports shed light on the growing concerns surrounding the alleged arbitrary actions carried out by security and intelligence agencies in the area. Journalists find themselves summoned on a near-daily basis for rigorous interrogations, as their every move is meticulously scrutinised. It appears that there may be an intention to suppress any media outlets that dare to challenge or offer an alternative perspective. Moreover, it has been emphasised that prior authorization and approval are mandatory for all field activities. Journalists are expected to strictly adhere to the prescribed procedures.
In a recent investigation into the state of freedom of opinion and expression in Yemen, it has become abundantly clear that numerous journalists and human rights defenders are facing arbitrary practices that blatantly infringe upon their rights. These actions directly contravene the guarantees of freedom of opinion and expression as enshrined in the Yemeni constitution, laws, and international conventions.
Ensuring that criminals are held accountable for crimes committed against journalists is a crucial guarantee for upholding freedom of expression and ensuring access to information for all citizens. In light of the substantial increase in these violations over the course of the war, with a staggering total of over 2,400 instances, including 52 reported cases of murder, it becomes increasingly imperative to address this matter. The perpetrators of these violations have gone unaccountable, allowing them to act with impunity.
During the first half of this year, our team closely monitored a wide range of violations that were spread across various provinces, including Marib, Sana’a, Hadramout, Taiz, Aden, Ibb, and Amran. The areas under internationally recognized Yemeni government control have emerged as the epicentre of violations against journalists and social media activists. With a total of 17 violations, these areas have taken the lead in the recorded cases, followed by the areas controlled by the Houthi group, where there is no room for independent or oppositional journalism.
In a statement released by MARSAD, it is crucial to highlight that the data and information disclosed in this report should not be misconstrued as exhaustive documentation of all violations. Instead, the victims of violations are hesitating to report their experiences out of fear of facing even harsher repercussions from the very perpetrators responsible.
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