Widespread Condemnations of the Abduction of Journalist Hamoud Hazza in Marib
Yemen Monitor/Special Monitoring:
Human rights organizations and activists have condemned the abduction of journalist Hamoud Hazza in Marib city after a security force raided his home on Saturday morning, confiscating his personal belongings before taking him to an unknown location.
The “Sada” National Organization of Yemeni Journalists stated that security forces surrounded the journalist’s home, broke down the main door, and stormed the premises. A female unit searched the house and confiscated Hazza’s phone, his wife’s phone, and his child’s iPad before taking him to an undisclosed location.
The organization’s president, Yousef Hazeb, visited the Fourth Security Region, which denied holding Hazza, stating only that he was “wanted by some party” without revealing its identity. The organization affirmed that what the journalist was subjected to amounts to arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance, demanding his immediate release and the return of his confiscated devices. It also called for ensuring his safety, dignity, and the respect of laws that guarantee the protection of journalists.
The Yemen Media Freedom Observatory (“Marsadak”) condemned the incident, considering it a “flagrant violation of human rights and press freedom.” The observatory emphasized that Hazza’s arrest was carried out without any legal justification and noted that the journalist had previously revealed he was exposed to threats and surveillance by unknown parties in recent months.
The observatory held the security authorities in Marib fully responsible for Hazza’s safety and demanded the immediate disclosure of his whereabouts and his release unless formal charges are brought against him within fair judicial procedures. It stressed that these practices contradict Yemen’s international commitments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate also condemned the raid on journalist Hamoud Hazza’s home in Marib governorate by a security force accompanied by female police, his arrest, and the confiscation of his personal belongings. The syndicate pointed out that Hazza had documented the raid on his Facebook page, where he called for respecting the law when dealing with civilian journalists.
The syndicate urged the Marib governor to intervene immediately and instruct the security authorities to reveal his location and release him promptly, holding the security agencies fully responsible for his safety and any harm that may come to him.
The syndicate reminded everyone that Hazza had previously reported receiving threats and incitement on social media due to his writings. It also denounced the involvement of some activists and journalists in inciting against their colleagues and covering up violations of freedom of opinion and expression.
The syndicate reiterated its demand to provide a safe environment for journalistic work in Yemen, ensure respect for freedom of expression, and stop using force against those with different opinions.
