“Arbitrary detention outside the law” … Journalists’ Syndicate demands an end to the pursuit of its members in Hodaidah

Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:

The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate renewed, on Wednesday, its condemnation of the continued detention of the Deputy Head of its Hodaidah branch, Walid Ghaleb, along with five other journalists and media activists, since last May.

The syndicate said that the arbitrary arrest of their colleagues is taking place outside the framework of the law, while they are being denied visits and communication with their families and lawyers, constituting a dangerous escalation in the repression of press freedom and freedom of expression in Hodaidah Governorate.

The syndicate expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health condition of colleague Walid Ghaleb inside detention, holding the de facto authorities in Hodaidah fully responsible for his safety and life, and warning of the legal and humanitarian consequences of the continued detention.

The syndicate also noted that the arrest campaign included journalist Hassan Ziyad, photographers Abduljabbar Ziyad and Abdulaziz Al-Nawm, and media activists Asem Mohammed and Abdulmajid Al-Zailai, considering these violations a flagrant breach of press freedom and a crime that does not lapse with time.

The syndicate demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, an end to all forms of harassment and arbitrary arrest, and the guarantee of their legal and humanitarian rights, especially the right to visits and medical care.

The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate called on local and international organizations concerned with freedom of opinion and expression—foremost among them the Arab Journalists Union and the International Federation of Journalists—to continue their support and pressure for the release of detained journalists and to put an end to the ongoing violations against press freedom in Yemen.