IFJ Condemns Attack on Al Jazeera TV crew in Yemen

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and its affiliate, the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS), have today condemned an attack on an Al Jazeera TV crew in the southern city of Aden in Yemen. According to media reports, the crew was attacked on Saturday, 27 April, 2013, by members of the separatist movement, the South Yemen Movement, in the port city of Aden while they were filming a protest. Reports say that Al Jazeera correspondent Yasser Hassan had his nose broken, and photographer Samir Nimry was assaulted and had his camera confiscated.
“This is the latest in a series of attacks in Yemen in recent weeks that have left journalists of their family members injured. Such acts must not be tolerated,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “The authorities in Yemen must immediately investigate this incident, identify those responsible and hold them accountable. The YJS has condemned the recent attacks on media staff in Yemen and renewed its call for freedom of the media throughout all the country. The union has also called for the confiscated camera to be returned.
“We are concerned about the increasing violence against and harassment of journalists in Yemen,” said IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa.  “We call on the government of the country to adhere to the requirements of international law and ensure the rights and freedoms of journalists are upheld.” For more information, please contact IFJ on + 221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries