International Condemnation of the Arrest of Yemeni Journalist Awad Kashmim in Hadhramaut
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has strongly condemned the arrest of Yemeni journalist Awad Kashmim, who serves as the head of the Freedoms Committee in the Hadhramaut branch of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate. Kashmim was detained by local authorities on Wednesday.
Sarah Khazaa, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator, expressed deep concern over the arrest, calling it a stark reminder of the alarming decline in press freedom in Hadhramaut.
She called on Yemen’s internationally recognized government to immediately release Kashmim, holding local authorities accountable for the arbitrary arrest and for ensuring his safety.
The arrest was carried out by a security unit under the Directorate of Haridha Security Administration, after Kashmim had been surveilled for several days. His house was also raided, and his family was reportedly intimidated—actions seen as retaliation for his journalistic work.
This is not the first time Kashmim has been detained. In February 2018, he was arrested by Yemen’s elite security forces on orders from then-governor Faraj al-Bahsani, who was under the influence of the United Arab Emirates. He was released after a month in detention.
Hadhramaut, Yemen’s largest governorate, is witnessing increasing political fragmentation. Coastal areas are controlled by the Southern Transitional Council(STC), while the current governor maintains ties with the internationally recognized government. Diverging interests between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have further deepened political rifts in the region.
In a related statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also condemned Kashmim’s arrest, calling for his immediate release. The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate stressed the urgency of launching an investigation into the circumstances of the arrest and held Hadhramaut authorities responsible for his wellbeing.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of Kashmim’s safety, noting that Yemen remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. As part of efforts to understand the ongoing conflict’s impact on media workers, the federation has launched a survey to assess the current situation in the country.
