Yemeni Human Rights Activist: Houthis Utilize the Judicial System to Suppress Freedom of Expression

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In Yemen, the series of violations against journalists continues, including killings, abductions, targeting, harassment, threats, and imprisonment. Additionally, there are attempts to control the media sector in order to manipulate it according to specific sectarian agendas. International and local reports rank the Iran-backed Houthi militia as the second world’s worst violator of press freedom after the terrorist organization ISIS.

Documentation of Crimes

The Yemeni Journalists’ Union has documented 40 cases of violations against media freedoms in Yemen during the first half of this year, with over half of them committed by the Houthi militia. The union’s report emphasizes that media freedoms remain critically endangered due to ongoing violations against journalists and the media.

According to the report, the Houthi militia committed 22 violations out of the total 40, accounting for 55% of all violations. Other entities committed 18 cases, representing 45% of the total violations. The violations include restrictions on freedom in 8 cases (20%), threats and incitement in 8 cases (20%), harsh treatment of detainees in 8 cases, and trials and judicial procedures in 7 cases (17.5%).

The violations also included the suspension of journalists’ salaries in 3 cases (7.5%), assaults in 3 cases (7.5%), confiscation of journalists’ possessions in 2 cases (5%), and refusal to implement judicial orders in one case (2.5%), according to the report.

Pursuit and Terrorism

The report documented 8 cases of kidnapping, detention, and harassment of journalists, accounting for 20% of the total violations. These cases involved 3 arrests, 2 detentions, one kidnapping, one pursuit, and one case of harassment.

The report states that there are still 5 imprisoned journalists, including three journalists kidnapped by the Houthi militia: Wahid al-Sofi, who has been forcibly hidden since April 2015, Nabil Al-Sadaawi from the Saba agency, Fahd Al-Arhabi, and one journalist held by Al-Qaeda in Hadramout since October 2015, namely Mohammad Qaid Al-Maqri.

The report also recorded 8 cases of threats and incitement, including 6 cases of incitement (75% of the total threats and incitement) and 2 cases of threats of physical liquidation against journalists (25% of the total), 6 of which were committed by the Houthis.

The Houthis committed 8 out of 8 cases documented in the report regarding the harsh treatment of detained journalists, depriving them of healthcare, visitation rights, and subjecting them to torture.

The report highlights that journalists working in government media in areas controlled by the Houthis have been without salaries since 2016 and are living in extremely poor economic conditions.

Release of Journalists

The Yemeni Journalists’ Union calls on the Houthi militia to release all abducted journalists, drop the unjust death sentences against four journalists, and halt the repressive practices against journalists. They also demand the repeal of unconstitutional regulations that restrict press freedom and unprofessional ethical codes.

The union emphasizes the necessity of investigating all crimes committed against journalists and holding accountable those who violate press freedom.

The report also calls on concerned organizations supporting freedom of expression to continue supporting Yemeni journalists. Additionally, they hope that the International Red Cross will contribute to protecting journalists in detention from violations and deprivation of human rights.

Numerous Crimes

According to Yemeni human rights researcher and activist Ahmed Jabari, there are dozens of cases of journalists and media professionals suffering in Houthi prisons, which lack basic humanitarian conditions. They face various violations by the Houthi militias, while human rights organizations remain absent, limited to condemning and denouncing these actions.

The Yemeni human rights activist further added that the Houthis utilize the judicial system to suppress freedom of expression, association, and religion by issuing severe sentences, including death penalties after unfair trials. He highlighted that a significant number of journalists and media professionals have been subjected to assassinations, beatings, and arbitrary arrests while performing their media duties. Yemeni organizations have documented numerous violations committed by the Houthi militia against journalists, media institutions, and media workers.