After 3 months of disconnect journalist return to the streets [Archives:2007/1110/Local News]

By: Saddam Al-Ashmouri
For Yemen Times
SANA'A, Dec. 11 ) A number of journalists and human rights activists acting with civil organizations held a sit-in on Tuesday, during which they continued to demand their rights to free speech and guaranteed the right to possess media outlets. The peaceful protest took place at Freedom Square in front of the Cabinet, amid heightened security measures.

Women Journalists without Chains, the group which organized previous sit-ins held since last July but ceased in September, announced in a press release its decision to resume sit-ins, calling all press members, civil society organizations and advocates of freedom and expression to participate in the 19th sit-in held in front of the Cabinet.

Tawakul Kurman, Chairwoman of Women Journalist without Chains, declared that she will not stop protesting until freedom of expression and the right to possess audio-visual and printing presses is granted to parties, organizations and individuals.

Yahya As-Shami, member of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) Central Committee, delivered a speech addressing the protesters, in which he claimed, “Any form of democracy is meaningless if freedom of opinion and expression is not guaranteed.””

As-Shami also affirmed that freedom of speech is the starting point toward democracy