Civil Society Coalition denounces violations [Archives:2006/920/Local News]

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February 13 2006

SANA'A, Feb. 11 ) The Civil Society Coalition, which includes syndicates, journals, creative organizations and influential personalities working to defend rights and freedoms, discussed a number of issues at its Feb. 8 meeting.

Tawakkol Karman, head of Women Journalists Without Constraints and the coalition's general coordinator, stated that it is a democratic gathering facilitating civil society institutions. Formed after the September 2005 abduction of journalist Jamal Amir, the coalition consists of 32 of the largest Yemeni organizations and syndicates, in addition to prominent journal and parliamentary personalities working in the fields of rights and liberties.

At its meeting, the coalition affirmed its solidarity with several non-governmental organizations in their lawful demands, such as supporting the teacher's syndicate in its endeavor to improve teachers' living status via the new wage law.

Attendees condemned what Radfan Charitable Society was subjected to by Aden's Social Affairs and Work office, which closed the society's premises and confiscated its positions. They considered this an arbitrary measure.

The coalition also condemned recent journalist inconveniences, such as telephone wiretapping and publishing their telephone calls on the internet and via other media outlets. An example involved Al-Jazeera correspondent Ahmed Al-Shalafi, whose telephone calls were tapped.

Coalition members also condemned banning of Abdulhabib Al-Serori's “Destruction Bird,” now held up in Sana'a International Airport. The work currently is being published in series by Al-Thoura newspaper.

The coalition also condemned the Danish newspaper's publishing of defamatory drawings satirizing the prophet Mohammed (pbuh). They demanded an official Danish apology and recommended the boycott continue until then.

The Civil Society Coalition founded in September 2005 aiming to coordinate between civil-society establishments such as syndicates and human-rights organizations. 32 of such establishments are members of the Coalition as well as several social and media personnel.
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