The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to President Ali Abdallah Saleh to request his personal intervention in ending systematic attacks on journalists and violations of their rights amid on-going anti-government protests in the country. The IFJ was reacting to the latest incident of last weekend in which a group of thugs stormed the offices of the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (JYS), an IFJ affiliate, threatening to burn it down.

"During the last few weeks journalists have been violently assaulted by security officers and pro-government supporters while attempting to cover demonstrations and protests," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha in his letter to President Saleh. "This culminated in the weekend's storming of the offices of our affiliated union, the Yemeni Syndicate of Journalists by twenty thugs threatening to burn the building."

The IFJ's letter to the Yemeni President catalogued a series of cases of threats, violence, abductions and other illegal measures which point to a concerted campaign to intimidate and silence journalists. One journalist was detained for two days by security forces while a senior editor's house was burned down following deaths threats against him and his family.

Journalists have also been denied access to places where protests have taken place such as Aden and websites were blocked, frustrating further the work of media.

The IFJ urged President Saleh to launch an investigation into the violence against journalists with a view to punishing those who are behind it and to order security forces to ensure journalists can work freely and in safety throughout the territory of Yemen.

"As President, the IFJ will hold you personally responsible for the safety of journalists and accountable for violence against them," concluded Boumelha.

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 members in 125 countries