Eight-two cases of violations committed against journalists and media have been documented in 2023, according to a new report released by the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS). The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the YJS, in calling on the Yemeni government to investigate breaches of journalists’ rights and demands the immediate release of all imprisoned media workers.

The report documents 17 cases of restrictions of freedom, 12 cases of trials and summonses of journalists, and 12 cases of threats and incitement. Moreover, the report records 10 cases of preventing journalists from practising their work and closing media outlets and 10 cases of harsh treatment of detainees. Six cases of halting journalists’ financial benefits and dismissal were reported as well as six cases of raids and attacks. The release also revealed five cases of confiscation and looting of the property of journalists and media outlets, two cases rejecting the enforcement of judicial rulings, and two cases of hacking media websites.

According to the publication, 52% of the violations are the work of the Yemeni government and its agencies. The Houthi group is the perpetrator of 38% of the violations., Unknown individuals committed 6% of the cases, and media institutions committed the remaining 4%.

There are still five journalists detained, including two journalists with the Houthis: Waheed Al-Sufi, who disappeared in April 2015, and Nabil Al-Sadawi, an employee at the Saba Agency. Two other journalists, Ahmed Maher and Naseh Shaker, are detained by the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Maher has been detained since August 2022, and Shaker since November 2023. Journalist Muhammad Qaid Al-Maqri has been held by Al-Qaeda in the Hadramout region since October 2015.

The YJS urged the Yemeni government as well as other armed groups to release all imprisoned journalists and media workers, and take action to end the climate of impunity. It also called on all organisations concerned with freedom of opinion and expression and the office of the UN envoy to Yemen to support journalists, adopt their issues and pressure all parties to respect freedom of opinion and expression.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We strongly condemn the adverse working conditions faced by journalists and media professionals in Yemen, jeopardising their safety and lives as they strive to inform the public. We call once again for all journalists to be released and for press freedom to be guaranteed at all costs.”