The “Destruction Bird” has been arrested [Archives:2006/921/Opinion]
By: Abdulbari Taher
“Taer Al-Kharab” (Destruction Bird) is a new novel by famed Yemeni novelist Habib Serori, also a computer science expert and professor at Rowan University in France. The novel was printed by Al-Afif Cultural Foundation in Sana'a in the final days of 2005 and carried the edition number (420/2005) in house copies. The novel was distributed to libraries and publishing centers with no problem.
A surprise emerged when officers at Sana'a International Airport prevented “trafficking” of the novel when 10 copies were to be sent to Serori by the publishers. In order not to disturb readers by recounting the reality of official illiteracy, violation of remits and aggression by the regime and law, coupled with officers' unlimited moods in treating people, I will leave novelist Serori to narrate the ordeal of his novel, which was prevented from reaching Paris as if it was a stigma upon Yemen and a scandal that must be harbored.
In a letter sent to the writers union and the journalists syndicate, Serori said airport officers seized the novel, objecting to its title. The controversy between the officer and the novel's carrier lasted two hours. Serori indicated that it is normal for oppressive regimes to prevent entry of books into their territories, but preventing book exports from their lands to other countries is a new contrivance, topping illiteracy, oppression and destruction.
Preparing himself to fight bird flu, the officer was confused in distinguishing between “Destruction Bird” and the flu carrier, as well as between entering and departing the country. This is why he prevented the novel from reaching its destination.
We must not forget that this officer was raised on the sufferings of citizens, absolute hatred of freedom and aggression toward knowledge, science and creativity. Every day and every moment he feeds from the criminal sermon targeting political opposition and defaming journalists. This sermon also is skeptical of the pen and its holder. What do other people want him to do? His action at the airport allows him more freedom to be influential, harm others with his temper and speak of things that never concern him.
Serori's complaint and the ordeal of his novel being prevented from passing through the airport disclose shocking acts and misconduct. Sana'a International Airport police, who failed dozens of times to stop armed and terrorist attacks on the airport, seemed brave enough to deter “novel trafficking” Sana'a International Airport police have been made responsible for detecting authenticity of literary titles and the extent of their romanticism. This officer did not read the novel and even if he might, he will not understand it because he does not understand the title, which he wants to change to “The Love Bird” or “The Emotions Bird.”
It is impossible to argue with the officer in written or oral form, but if he understood “Destruction Bird” as a scandalous stigma, why tolerate the existence of such a stigma in Yemen and prevent it from departing the country? It is difficult for anyone to make this officer understand previous and current monitoring of newspapers and books banned under Yemen's Constitution and 1990's Press Law No. 20. His behavior in preventing export of a novel printed at the ruling party's printing house violated remits and freedoms, as well as freedom of opinion and expression.
The provoking question is, “What motivates a police officer or a soldier to encroach so easily upon the rights of others, particularly in determining what is warranted and unwarranted beyond his remit?”
We know this officer will not be held to account for his conduct, but can he or the parties that appointed him justify such scandalous acts? The “Destruction Bird” incident is isolated from the various contexts of oppression impacting press freedom in Yemen, particularly over the past few years. Oppression of press freedom reached its climax in 2004 and its detestable fruit is Yemen's topping the list of countries practicing oppression against the press freedom.
The survey of the past year's violations and attacks against the press, conducted by Yemeni and international civil and journalistic organizations, was frightening. Dragging journalists to court and issuing unjust rulings against Al-Usbou, Al-Tajamu and Al-Rased newspapers never seemed enough for the state's apparatuses. Courts also issued verdicts under which many journalists faced fines and imprisonment. Several journalists were subjected to kidnapping, beating and threats of murder as military and security apparatuses practiced kidnapping and terrorism acts.
The state intends to draft a new press law to eliminate the remaining limited margin of freedom, despite the fact that Yemeni journalists collectively oppose the draft.
Last year, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism rejected entry of the “Intisar Book” (Triumph Book) by a famed Islamic scholar into Yemen. Authored by master of rhetoric, Yahya Bin Hamza, the book embraces ethics adhered to by scholars in various places. Preventing export of Serori's novel was the inaugural act of the New Year, while last year's blacklist disclosed the wiretapping of Al-Jazeera correspondent Ahmad Al-Shalafi, which sparked outrage and tension in the journalism community.
Abdulbari Taher is a Yemeni Journalist and the former chairman of Yemeni Journalists Syndicate
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[archive-e:921-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-02-16-p:opinion]
