Black list released of press freedom suppressors in Yemen [Archives:2007/1075/Front Page]
By: Saddam Al-Ashmouri
SANA'A, August 8 ) A group of journalists and human rights activists released a black list of those individuals and groups responsible for violating press freedom. The list mentioned five names as representatives of institutions responsible for violations against journalists recorded from 2005 to 2007.
The black list was developed in light of continuous sit-ins organized by the Civil Society Coalition, demanding possession of mass media and a wider margin of freedom for press.
National Security Apparatuses, headed by Ali Al-Anisi, ranked first place with 96 violations, equivalent to 27.82 percent of total violations. The Ministry of Information, led by Hasan Al-Lawzi, came in next with 95 violations, equivalent to 27.53 percent.
The Ministry of Interior, led by Rashad Al-Alimi, came in third place with 54 violations and a percentage of 15.65, followed by Political Security Apparatuses, led by Ghaleb Al-Qamish, with 45 violations. In fifth place came the Moral Guidance Administration, led by Ali Al-Shatter, with 11 violations.
Violations ranged from banning the issuance of papers to preventing journalists from practicing their duties to shutting down papers to beatings, harassment and detention.
The list was compiled according to data from three annual reports issued by Women Journalists without Chains in which they address issues of press freedom in Yemen during 2005, 2006 and the first half of 2007.
Additional data was collected from international reports issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Without Borders Correspondents, Amnesty International and the U.S. Department of State.
Without Chains chairperson Tawakel Karman noted that impartiality and objectivity was exercised during preparation of the list, stressing that there exists a number of violations committed by more than one party at once.
“We can put into account that those who bullied journalist Jammal Amer were boarding a car with army plates, while his requests to the Interior Ministry to investigate the perpetrators found no response. Further, National and Political Security Apparatuses remained silent and they are accused of being behind the operation. Thus, we can deduce that four state institutions are responsible for bullying Amer,” clarified Karman.
Karman added that the Interior Ministry did not act as required, especially when dealing with those responsible for violations against journalists. Further, violations have been committed by institutions belonging to the ministry.
Regarding violations committed by the Information Ministry, Karman pointed out such violations are committed in collaboration with National Security, especially when banning the issuance of a new paper. “We have evidence that steps for granting licenses start from the National Security and end there,” Karman stated.
She also noted the list was not made in an act of vengeance; rather it aims at restricting violations against press by shedding light on parties responsible for violating press freedom. She further called for conducting strategic reforms in state institutions responsible for violations in a way that complies with the law and constitution.
Additionally, Karman called those individuals responsible for violations to abandon such acts and announce their repentance, hinting the black list will be prepared annually and timed with publication of her organization's annual report.
Parliament member Aidrous Al-Naqib, in his speech, criticized the way in which authorities deal with peaceful demonstrations as evidenced by the Freedom Square incident.
First Deputy Chairman of Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Sa'eed Thabet assured that possessing media outlets is a constitutional right and condemned Yemeni officials for their failure to understand the current era's demands.
“We are in the age when everything has changed and they have to know that we have changed. Our demands will continue until citizens are allowed to possess private media outlets.”
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