Abdulaziz al-Saqqaf prize for press freedom [Archives:2002/24/Focus]

BY MOHAMMED AL-QADHI
[email protected]
Three years have passed since the death of Dr. Abdulaziz al-Saqqaf. I believe it is important to remember this great man who devoted his life to human rights and press freedom. He advocated these values to promote democracy, modernity and justice.
Dr. Al-Saqqaf was at odds with the people in power. He was a brave man who spoke on behalf of the silent citizens of Yemen. He conveyed his ideas to the public and for this he found opposition in the form of ridicule and harassment. The corrupt cronies in government were annoyed by his writing that addressed the suffering masses. They tried to silence him, but to no avail.
He had a good relationship with many international NGOs so whenever he was beaten or harassed, hell broke loose. The government tried to conform Dr. Al-Saqqaf by luring him into power. He was appointed as a member of the Consultative Council (CC) in 1997. The government believed they could win his favor in this manner.
Contrary to their beliefs he led an internal revolution in the CC and took the position of the chairman of human rights and liberties. He carried out field inspections to several prisons in Yemen and was able to set free thousands imprisoned without legal warrant.
He was concerned for the oppressed and downtrodden. He made good use of his contacts to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Yemen.
He believed that NGOs are a good step for building up a civil society based on law and order instead of tribal norms. He helped establish a number of NGOs and acted as their honorary president. In 1998 he organized the first NGO conference .
After his death on June 2, 1999, I have felt a difference in press freedom, human rights and civil activities. Without him, I feel we are backsliding in these areas. Many politicians, human rights workers economists and foreigners share this feeling and a sense of loss.
I remember meeting a VIP at the World Bank Institute in Cairo who lamented losing an important partner in Yemen.
In closing, I hope that human rights workers, journalists, the Yemen Times and other supporters of Dr. Al-Saqqafs work, would give an award in his name for press freedom to remember and honor his good deeds. This man did a lot for the sake of democratization and human rights in Yemen and the Arab world.
Yemeni society should honor those who lose their lives for its freedom and progress. We should remember such people.

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