Houthi rebels still harassing media and journalists in Sanaa

Reporters Without Borders is worried that Yemen’s Houthi rebels are deliberating targeting journalists and news media in the capital because of their work, and urges the rebels to respect the 21 September ceasefire and stop harassing media and media personnel. A climate of terror has reigned in Sanaa ever since the rebels launched their offensive on 18 September, and the fighting with government forces is intensifying despite the ceasefire. The rebels still control some official buildings, including the state radio and TV. Rebels raided the home of Al-Shoumou' Media Foundation director Saif Mohamed Ahmed Al-Hadari on 23 September and kidnapped a member of his family. They also ransacked and looted the foundation, which is owned by Gen. Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, the publisher of daily Akhbar Al-Youm. Mohamed Imad, a photographer who has been well known since his coverage of the 2011 revolution, was arrested by rebels as he walked down a street in Sanaa’s Al-Sanina district on 23 September. They searched and questioned him, confiscated his mobile phone and finally released him a few hours later. In reaction to an attack on the home of two journalists on 19 September, Yemen Shabab TV has decided to move to a secret location and to just broadcast old programmes, for fear of being attacked in turn. Concerned for their safety, many journalists have gone into hiding and are censoring themselves or adapting their reports for fear of reprisals. In the course of looking for arms, rebels have searched and ransacked homes including those of journalists such as Moubarak Al-Achoual of Al-Masdar and Youssef Al-Qadi, who works for both Al-Masdar and Al-Jazeera. The home of former national television CEO Abdelghani Al-Shamiri was also searched. Rebels who have been in control of Suhail TV’s headquarters since 22 September denied access to members of the journalists union and human rights activist who wanted to evaluate the extent of the damage to the TV station, which is owned by Sheikh Hamid Al-Ahmar. It should noted that, when signing the ceasefire, the rebels refused to sign an appendix about the disarming of militias in the capital and surrounding provinces, and about the withdrawal of fighters from Sanaa and the provinces of Jawf and Amran within 45 days. This crisis, with its attacks on media and journalists, is not only jeopardizing Yemen’s political transition but is also a source of deep concern for the future of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of information.