(9) Cases of violation of media freedoms, January2025

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, A total of (9) cases of violations .

The violations recorded by the Observatory included one Arrest and Two Assault and six Trial and Interrogation of journalist over media activit.

The Observatory recorded violations in the governorates of Shabwa and Sana’a and Marib and Taiz.

Arrest of Journalist Hamdi Doblah

On January 3, 2025, the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) arrested journalist Hamdi Doblah, the news director at Al-Thawra newspaper, which is under their control in Sana’a, in a manner that violates local laws and international conventions on press freedom and human rights.

The arrest took place while he was returning from Al-Hudaydah governorate at the Al-Sabaha checkpoint, located at the western entrance to the capital, Sana’a. He was assaulted before being restrained, blindfolded, and taken to the notorious Intelligence Prison in the Hadda area of central Sana’a, where he was placed in solitary confinement. He was released four days later.

This is not the first time the Houthis have targeted journalist Doblah. Over the past five years, several journalists from Al-Thawra Institution have been documented as being subjected to attacks, including job suspensions and fabricated charges, primarily due to their demands for financial rights, including their monthly salaries.

These practices constitute a blatant violation of press freedom and journalists’ rights and contradict Yemen’s international commitments to protecting freedom of expression and human rights.