On Wednesday the 25th of August, Reporters Without Borders along with two Yemeni NGOs – “Marsadk” and “INSAF Center” – called for the immediate release of Yemeni journalists, which include Ahmed Maher, Jamil Al-Samit, and Younis Abdelsalam, each of whom is being held in one of the three currently existing authorities in Yemen.
Reporters Without Borders published a statement that indicated that one of the three authorities is affiliated with the internationally recognized government, backed by the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The second is controlled by the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates. While the other is controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The head of the Middle East desk at Reporters Without Borders, Sabrina Bennoy, accused in this statement all parties of the Yemeni conflict, without exception, of committing violations against journalists. Ms. Bennoy said: “Depending on who controls the area, reporters are caught in the crossfire between three forces, not just two. Between the internationally recognized government, the southerners, and the Houthis”.
Eman Homid, INSAF Center’s chairperson said: “The Security Council and special envoys in Yemen must exert more pressure on all parties, especially the Houthis, who have sentenced four journalists to death”.
Hamid also confirmed that INSAF Center is making great efforts at all levels, in terms of communicating and applying pressure on the parties that detain journalists in order to ensure their release as soon as possible. As part of the efforts being made to free Yemeni journalists detained in the prisons of the de facto authorities in Yemen, INSAF Center for Defending Freedoms & Minorities is following up on the release of journalists regardless of their affiliations. This comes concurrently with escalatory steps taken in favor of opinion makers, journalists, and freedom for all Yemenis.
