45 organizations call for justice and accountability for those involved in crimes against journalists in Yemen

“Over the past ten years, journalists have been victims of various crimes and violations, including physical liquidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and restrictions on freedom of expression. In all cases, the perpetrators escape accountability and punishment. Instead, the victims are brought to unfair trials before specialized criminal courts - in cases of terrorism and state security - and are issued harsh sentences that lack the most basic standards of fair and impartial litigation, not to mention that these courts are not competent in cases of journalism and publishing,” he added.

The statement stressed that "these violations weaken the role of the media in building a democratic society, and limit access to the information that citizens need."

The report pointed out that the organizations affiliated with the "Justice Charter" coalition and the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate documented, over the course of a decade, more than 3,000 violations against journalists, media institutions, and media activists.

In this context, the report recalled what the Media Freedom Observatory reported in its 2023 report, in which it announced that it had documented more than 2,515 violations in just nine years, and a report by the Journalists Syndicate, which revealed 1,700 cases of violations and attacks against journalists since the beginning of the war, including the killing of 45 journalists, including two female journalists, the suspension of 165 media outlets, and the blocking of nearly 200 local, Arab, and international websites.

As reported by Sada, which documented more than 60 cases of killings of journalists and media workers, and as evidence of the prevalence of impunity, 44 of the killings went unpunished and the victims were denied redress.

At the end of their report, the organizations that signed the statement addressed a number of recommendations and messages to those concerned, as follows:

Parties to the conflict:

We call on all parties to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to protect journalists. Commitments to human rights must be an important criterion in all military and political operations.

- Keeping the press neutral from conflicts within the framework of achieving justice and reconciliation, and working to create a safe environment that allows journalists to do their work without fear.

- Working to hold accountable those involved in crimes against journalists, and taking effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed.

- Opening the door to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, to study the increasing level of violence and propose solutions to address impunity, once and for all.

International community:

We call on you to defend the rights of journalists in Yemen, by finding practical and effective mechanisms that decisively end the state of impunity for crimes committed against journalists.

- Pressuring the parties involved in the conflict to put an end to the attacks and enhance protection for journalists.

Journalists:

We would like to express our solidarity with you in your courageous struggle to tell the truth. We urge you to continue your work in these difficult circumstances. Your voice is an important tool in telling the truth, exposing facts, and achieving justice.

Remember that your voice is powerful and expressive, and that continuing to convey reality is an essential step towards building a better future.