Hodeidah.. A protest stand condemning the arrest of a journalist in Al-Khokha city

The Journalists and Media Professionals Association in Hodeidah held a protest in the city of Al-Khokha, south of Hodeidah, in protest against the kidnapping of journalist Hussam Ahmed Bakri, director of the media office in the Hays district and correspondent for Yemen Today Channel, by military forces.

In a statement issued by it, the association described the incident as a blatant violation of freedom of the press and the rights of media professionals, stressing that the kidnapping of journalist Hossam Bakri constitutes a serious attack on freedom of the press guaranteed by law, in addition to being a clear violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, which guarantees freedom of expression and journalistic work.

She stressed that this crime represents a direct threat to the lives of journalists, and reflects the continuation of repressive practices aimed at silencing and disrupting independent media work.

The association explained that this incident comes in light of the escalation of violations against journalists in Yemen, which requires collective action and broad solidarity to confront the challenges that threaten the safety and independence of media professionals.

The association demanded the immediate release of journalist Hossam Ahmed Bakri, revealing his place of detention and the circumstances of his kidnapping, in addition to holding the parties involved accountable and taking strict measures to prevent the recurrence of such violations, calling for the protection of press freedom and providing a safe environment for media professionals away from threats and harassment.

The association urged government agencies to assume their legal responsibilities, take serious steps to release the kidnapped journalist, and stop arbitrary arrests targeting media professionals.

In the same context, she renewed her call to human rights organizations to take a clear and decisive position regarding this incident, and to pressure the Yemeni government to immediately release Hossam Bakri.

The association stressed that it will not stand idly by in the face of any violations against journalists, stressing its full solidarity with colleague Hossam Bakri, and its commitment to continue defending freedom of the press and the right of media professionals to work freely.

She also stressed that journalists in the liberated areas of Hodeidah will continue their role in conveying the truth, exposing corruption and monitoring violations, stressing that they will not allow the free media voice to be intimidated.

The Giants Forces, affiliated with Presidential Leadership Council member Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, arrested journalist Bakri the day before yesterday, Monday, due to a post on social media in which he criticized the forces’ imposition of restrictions on sporting events.