IFJ tells Saleh that Al-Khaiwan treatment is”Intolerable” [Archives:2004/789/Front Page]

Mohammed Al-Qadhi
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has blasted Yemen over its “acts of undue and unacceptable pressure on press freedom and independent journalism.”
The criticism comes from IFJ General Secretary Aidan White in a letter to President Ali Abdullah Saleh asking Yemen's president to “intervene immediately to secure the release of Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani.
Al-Khaiwani is editor-in-chief of Al-Shura, a member of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, and presently in the Central Prison for a one year jail term over his published writings.
One of the prison's inmates attacked Al-Khaiwani last Friday from the back with a tool, trying to crush his skull. The victim's lower jaw was dislodged and his shoulder, hand and neck were bruised.
Sources also say that after falling to the ground unconscious, Al-Khaiwani was protected by some inmates from being killed.
The letter reads in part, “We ask you to take urgent action to reverse this worrying trend. We ask you to seek the release of our colleague Al-Khaiwani, to ensure that no further punitive actions will be taken to silence independent voices in the media and to make clear declarations reaffirming the commitment of the Yemen to the highest standards of press freedom.”
It adds, “We are concerned at reports about the state of health of our colleague and we ask you to restate your view that the imprisonment of journalists for their professional activity is unacceptable,” also adding “Your prompt and humanitarian action would demonstrate to the international media community that your administration is committed to democratic values of pluralism and freedom of expression.”
The letter said that the “trial and imprisonment of Al-Khaiwani have been carried out in a manner that has startled the international community of journalists.” It also criticized the harassment al-Khaiwani has been subjected to in his jail.
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“We find it intolerable that he appears to have been targeted and harassed for honest and professional activity as a journalist and we are dismayed at his treatment at the hands of the authorities. We are also concerned at the unrestrained actions of the political security forces in targeting journalists and writers,” the IFJ letter said.
The IFJ also pointed out that their fears have been confirmed by “the action to withdraw the license of al-Hurriye newspaper and to instruct the printing company that prints the paper not to print it.”
It notes that “this disproportionate action over a minor change in the newspaper logos can only be interpreted as an attempt to silence an established newspaper. We note, too, that the Ministry of Information has closed operations of a new magazine, al-Neda, for the technical reason of operating just two days past its licensing period.
The letter states “We cannot avoid the conclusion that publications and journalists are being targeted because their contents include coverage of events and topics not favoured by the government,” adding “These actions, coupled with the imprisonment of Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani, reveal a pattern of oppression that it is impossible to ignore.”
The IFJ showed readiness to work with the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate to support all actions that will strengthen professional and independent journalism.
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