(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Backs Yemeni Journalists’ Call For Union Activist Held by Security Police To Be Freed The International Federation of Journalists today called on the Yemeni authorities to release journalist Saeed Thabet, arrested less than two weeks after his election to the Yemen Journalists Syndicate (YJS) board. […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
IFJ Backs Yemeni Journalists’ Call For Union Activist Held by Security Police To Be Freed
The International Federation of Journalists today called on the Yemeni authorities to release journalist Saeed Thabet, arrested less than two weeks after his election to the Yemen Journalists Syndicate (YJS) board. The IFJ says the action is part of a process of intimidation of Yemeni journalists’ leaders.
“We are appalled by the Yemeni security forces’ disregard for a free press and basic human rights and demand the immediate release of Saeed Thabet,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “It is shocking to witness an escalation in threats and detention of journalists following the 3rd General Congress of the Yemen Journalists Syndicate, whose Board is being prevented from carrying out its normal activity.” The YJS recently joined the IFJ.
Thabet is a correspondent for the London-based Kuds Press agency and was arrested by intelligence agents on 5 March while out with his 3-year-old son. The boy later returned home alone. Thabet’s arrest reportedly followed the rumour of an assassination attempt against Ahmed Ali Abdullah, the elder son of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Quickly denied by governmental sources, the rumour had been published by Thabet’s news agency as well as by many other news agencies.
Journalists were later invited to attend a Special Forces’ graduation ceremony headed by Colonel Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, during which he described the recent reports of an assault on his life as “lies and rumours.” Some journalists refused to attend the event until Thabet is set free.
YJS Chairman Mahboob Ali, Kuds Press and a number of human rights and press freedoms NGOs called on Yemeni authorities to release Saeed Thabet immediately, describing him as a highly respected professional whose arrest harms Yemen and its legislation relating to human rights and freedoms. “This arrest has shocked the journalism community and the authorities should move quickly to free our colleague,” said White.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
