Al-Khaiwani frequently attacked [Archives:2004/783/Front Page]

Mohammed bin Sallam
The editorial staff of suspended Al-Shura weekly had on 18 October issued a statement affirming that two inmates in the Central Prison in Sana'a had attacked Abudlkarim Al-Khaiwani, editor-in-chief of Al-Shura, Monday afternoon.
Described as “urgent and important,” the statement added that two others had assaulted him on Sunday October 17.
The statement accused unnamed sides to be intending to harm Al-Khaiwani psychologically and physically.
The editorial staff charged the director of the Central Prison with concocting the attacks against Al-Khaiwani, holding the director responsible for any consequent harms occurring to al-Khaiwani.
The staff appealed to the Minister of Interior Rashad Al-Alimi, Minister of Human Rights Amat Al-Alim Al-Suswa, and the local, Arab and international public opinion to render protection for Al-Khaiwani against frequent attempts to inflict harm on him.
The staff also accused the prison's authority of putting Al-Khaiwani among prisoners convicted of crimes, some of whom sentenced to death, without providing any protection measures in his favor, putting the responsibility of any possible harm inflicted on Al-Khaiwani on the judicial, security and political authorities.
“Continued detention of Al-Khaiwani is a shocking title for the ongoing violations against Al-Khaiwani as a journalist, writer, political activist, and human being.”
Meanwhile the statement called on journalists, NGOs and political parties to continue seeking his release. Al-Shura staff urged Arab, regional and international organizations concerned with freedoms to maintain pressures on the government to free Al-Khaiwani and not to be satisfied with promises until he is outside prison.
Before the recent attacks, Al-Khaiwani had been assaulted by convict inmates. Some believe the attackers were incited by certain parties interested in demoralizing Al-Khaiwani and compelling him to ask for sympathy and pardon of the state.
Some 16 human rights organizations working in Yemen called last week for the immediate release of Al-Khaiwani. A statement signed by leaders and representatives of such organizations declared that their request was based on their belief in the freedom of the press and expression guaranteed by the Yemeni constitution and international conventions to which Yemen consented.
The statement was also signed by members of Amnesty International, journalists, and academics from Sana'a and Aden universities.
Meanwhile, the defense team of Al-Khaiwani and Al-Shura sent a letter to President Saleh, Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, explaining to him about the investigations and trial procedures of Al-Khaiwani, and asking him to intervene to secure his freedom.
On the other hand, the Islamic National Council (INC) sent on Tuesday October 12 a letter to the President appealing to him to set free their fellow member to be able to attend the fifth session of the council to be held soon in Khartoum, Sudan. The conference is expected to host some five hundred figures from different realms of knowledge.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mutawakil, General Coordinator of the Council, signed the letter, too.
The letter went on addressing the President: “For the sake of Yemen's reputation in the field of human rights and freedom of expression, and after pressmen's and intellectuals' hailing of your abolishment of jailing journalists because of their opinion, your intervening to release the member of the INC, prisoner of opinion Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani would have a pleasant effect on your brothers, members of the INC who are present across the Arab and Islamic World.”
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