The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for authorities in Yemen to step up their efforts to protect the safety of journalists and end impunity for violence against media workers in the country.
The IFJ call follows an escalation in violence against media personnel in the country in recent months which has seen journalists being threatened, kidnapped, beaten and suffered appalling acts of violence.
Earlier this month woman journalist, Saraaa al Shehary, a correspondent for Al Maserah TV, was abducted and beaten in the capital city of Sanaa, while in November a car explosion in Sanaa left Mohammed Al Imad, editor-in-chief of Alhawyah newspaper, seriously injured. There have also been a series of attacks on delivery vans for leading media in the country.
According to IFJ affiliate, the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS), Reuters news agency correspondent in Yemen, Mohammed Al Ghoubary, has received a number of threats, and the YJS says that Yemeni authorities have failed to effectively investigate many other cases.
The YJS has reiterated its call for the country's relevant authorities to step up protection for media workers, while maintaining its refusal to become a victim of political conflicts.
"We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Yemen to demand that the relevant authorities in Yemen do everything in their power to protect the safety and freedom of journalists in the country," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.
"These blatant and brutal acts of violence are clear attempts to intimidate the country's media and undermine press freedom and they cannot be tolerated. Regardless of political opinion, the right to freedom of expression and media safety must be upheld."
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600 000 journalists in 134 countries
