Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate Demands Immediate Release of Abducted Journalists in Sana’a and Aden Prisons
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate has renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists held in the prisons of the Houthi group and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), highlighting the ongoing and severe violations journalists in the country face.
In a statement issued on the occasion of Yemeni Press Day, the Syndicate expressed its deep concern over the intransigence of controlling parties in Sana’a and Aden, and their persistent refusal to cooperate with efforts to release the abducted journalists.
The Syndicate affirmed that these practices represent a flagrant violation of press freedom and human rights, increasing the suffering of journalists who endure harsh conditions in detention.
The statement noted that journalists in Yemen have suffered for over a decade from killings, abductions, torture, and persecution, in addition to the closure of media outlets and the displacement of journalists both inside and outside the country.
The Syndicate also condemned the systematic starvation policy journalists face through the suspension of salaries for media workers, which further deteriorates their living conditions.
The Syndicate criticized the government’s passive stance regarding these violations, particularly its refusal to pay salaries to employees of official media outlets across all regions of Yemen.
The Syndicate affirmed its legal and legitimate right to reclaim its headquarters in Aden, which was seized by the STC, considering this an act hostile to journalistic and syndicate freedoms.
The Syndicate also called for the restoration of official media institutions and the cessation of all measures that restrict journalistic work, emphasizing the necessity of respecting media pluralism and freedom of expression in the country.
The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate praised the struggles and sacrifices of journalists, and extended condolences for the lives of those who perished defending the truth.
It affirmed its commitment to continue defending journalists’ rights and working to improve their conditions, despite the significant challenges it faces.
