The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has demanded the immediate release of two Yemeni journalists who have been held without charge since 16 August and accused the Yemeni government of broken promises for backtracking on pledges to allow journalists in the country to work freely.
Abdelelaah Shaie, a reporter working for the official Yemeni News Agency (SABA), and Kmal Sharaf, a cartoonist at a state owned newspaper al-Gomhoriah were both arrested at their homes and taken into detention by Yemeni National Security. There is no word on charges that may have been made against them.
The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate, says the security forces confiscated their computers, mobile phones and other belongings during the raid. In a statement, the YJS says it has been barred from visiting the journalists in prison.
“These cases are a scandalous denial of rights,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “We are holding the authorities responsible for the safety of our colleagues and we demand their release.”
Last May and after a year of campaigning led by the YJS and supported by national and international organization for the release of imprisoned journalists and protection of press freedom in Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered the release of jailed journalists and an end to on-going legal cases against journalists.
Abdelelaah Shaie was arrested one month before his latest arrest and questioned for several hours by the Yemeni Political Security on issues related to his work as specialists on reporting on terrorism and terrorist groups in the country.
"These latest cases illustrate that Yemeni authorities have backtracked on its commitment to allow journalists to work freely", said Boumelha. "We demand that the government honours the promise it has made to journalists and media that it would allow journalists to work without intimidation or interference.”
For more information contact the IFJ at +32 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide