Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 Yemeni Media Freedom Observatory Cover photo by: RashadCover photo Al Samai flyer Table of Contents Table Infographic freedom of Expression ............................................................................................ 4 Summary of the status of journalism in Yemen, 2020 .......................................................... 5 - 9 Repercussions and Impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the media in Yemen ........ 10 - 15 Journalists facing death sentences for their journalistic writings .................................... 16 - 23 Violations of freedom of expression in 2020 ............................................................................. 24 Report Methodology ................................................................................................................... 25 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 25 Types of Violations ...................................................................................................................... 26 Geographical distribution: Violations by Area ......................................................................... 26 Responsibility for Violations ...................................................................................................... 26 Details of Violations ............................................................................................................ 27 - 34 Violations targeting Media Institutions .................................................................................... 35 The Lawyers to Defend Journalists Coalition: A Collective Framework ......................... 36 - 37 Activities and Events Carried Out by the YMFO .............................................................. 38 - 39 Journalists Winning Awards at Local and International Forums .................................... 40 - 43 Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 in Yemen of Expression On Freedom Annual Report Violations Cases Against Media in Yemen n 2020 Against media Viola�ons Cases Against organiza�ons ٥ Individuals ١٣٨ ١٤٣ ٦٦ ٤ ١٥ ١١ ١١ ١٠ ٧ ١١ ٣ X Kill Sentenced Abduc�on Injured Arrest Assault Threat Stop Others to death from working 4 ٤٤ Yemeni Government Southern٣ Transi�onal Council Viola�ons ٧٠ ٢٢ Unknown Responsibil�es Houthies Group ٤ Others ١٥ ١٠ ٣٧ Al-Jawf Mareb Hadramout ٣٠ Sana`a ١ Hodeidah Viola�ons Areas ٣ Ibb ٢٢ ١ Taiz Socotra ٢ ١ ١ ٢ ١٧ ١ Lahej Aden Dhalea Baydha`a Abyan Shabwa The Media Freedom Observatory Platform is a professional and independent monitoring and information platform that contains maps and information on press violations and freedom of expression throughout yemen Www.Marsadak.org Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 in Yemen of Expression On Freedom Annual Report Media in Yemen, 2020 5 Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 in Yemen of Expression On Freedom Annual Report Journalists Face Death Sentences and the Coronavirus Pandemic The year 2020 did not fare better than the The total number of documented previous years in terms of media freedom cases in 2020 was 143 violations in Yemen. Yemeni media witnessed perpetrated against journalists and media multiple violations, the most prominent professionals in Yemen. These violations of which was the murder of 3 journalists, varied between cases of murder, injury, and the death sentences passed against 11 kidnapping, assaults, threats and targeting journalists in the context of politicized media institutions. This state of affairs trials that lack the most basic legal rules calls for redoubling the efforts to defend 6 and procedures. With this painful record, media freedom and the right of journalists Yemen ranks as one of the most repressive to work in a safe and free environment. countries of press freedom in the world, In this context, the YMFO has utilized ranking 167 in the World Press Freedom and employed all available means to Index 2020, out of 180 countries. defend media freedom. It also attempts The ongoing war in Yemen has led the to ensure that violators of press freedom conflicting parties to treat the media and aggressors against journalists do not and journalists with a heavy hand. The go unpunished. This position is informed problem worsens even more with the by the fact that journalists are the weakest outbreak of the new Coronavirus in link in conflicts, as they can be subjected 2020, which prompted all parties to place to blackmail by the conflicting parties, more restrictions on media freedom. In and may end up being killed or behind this annual report, we provide in-depth the bars. details on those challenges that Yemeni The Significance of this report stems from journalists faced during the Coronavirus the fact that it provides a comprehensive crisis. description of the state of media freedom The facts documented by the Yemeni in Yemen in 2020, while at the same Media Freedom Observatory MFO) time focusing on the repercussions of confirm that all the controlling parties the Coronavirus on journalism, the trials in Yemen have practiced various types campaign and the murder of journalists of violations of press freedom and during the year. diminishing the right to freedom of In this part of the report, we will focus expression which is guaranteed by the on the most important violations that constitution, laws and international have been committed by the parties to the conventions. conflict in Yemen: Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 in Yemen of Expression On Freedom Annual Report A) Violations in the Control Areas of Ansar Allah (the Houthis): Ansar Allah group (the Houthis) topped of the court itself. The trials were also the list of violators of press freedom. A in violation of international laws and total of 70 violations of media freedom charters that guarantee freedom of practiced by the group were documented in expression for journalists. various areas in Yemen. The worst forms of - The Houthi group exchanged journalists, torture were practiced against journalists. who had been detained in its prisons These violations are summarized in the for five years, for prisoners of war, as following: part of a prisoner exchange deal with - On April 11, 2020, the Specialized the internationally recognized Yemeni 7 Criminal Court (State Security court), government. This step constitutes which is under Houthi control, an illegal practice criminalized by pronounced death sentences against 4 international treaties and conventions. journalists; namely, Abdul Khaleq Imran, - The Houthi group continues to abduct the Akram al-Walidi, Haris Humaid and forcibly disappeared journalist, Waheed Tawfiq al-Mansouri, following 5 years al-Sufi. It has refused to provide any of detention, enforced disappearance information as to his whereabouts or and torture in connection with their his status since 2015. Nothing is known journalistic work. about him until the time of writing this - In November, the Specialized Criminal report. Court (State Security court), which is - The Houthi group places many under Houthi control, pronounced death restrictions and creates many obstacles sentences against 7 journalists, whom it during the outbreak of the Coronavirus described as fugitives. The prosecuted pandemic. Journalists faced difficulty journalists are Nadia al-Saqqaf, Jameel in practicing their profession, and were Ezz el-Din, Mohammed Qizan, Abdul unable to report on the Coronavirus Basit al-Qaidi, Ahmad al-Musaibili, outbreak from hospitals, and conduct Mukhtar al-Rahbi and Hussain Basleem. interviews with patients or the - Journalists and activists in in the field responsible authorities. of freedom of expression who were - The Houthi group refused to respond kidnapped and detained in Houthi to local and international demands to prisons were subjected to formal release journalists from its prisons in and politicized trials that lack all light of the spread of the Coronavirus standards of fair trial, not to mention pandemic for fear of infection with the the unconstitutionality and illegality Coronavirus. Kidnapped journalists and Annual Report On Freedom of Expression in Yemen 2020 in Yemen of Expression On Freedom Annual Report prisoners of conscience were exposed al-Jawf governorate. to the risk of infection especially in the - Independent journalists in Houthi- absence of the most basic standards controlled areas are not tolerated. The of safety and health care precautions most heinous types of arbitrary practices required in prisons. are practiced against them for fear of - Journalists in the Houthi control areas the effect of the information or news on are subject to security surveillance. They channeling public opinion in a way that are accused of being agents of foreign is not in line with the group’s interests. countries, and this makes it difficult for - The media and journalists in Houthi- them to practice their media profession. controlled areas work under great - At a time when infection with the restrictions and pressure. Coronavirus increased in Yemen, the - The media outlets in Houthi-controlled Houthi group imposed information areas underwent systematic repression 8 secrecy, and restricted the freedom of campaigns that began with the control media professionals. It cites illogical of government media, followed by the arguments to justify such acts, as it closure and confiscation