A Congressman Who Believes in Democracy: Trent Franks (AZ)
Its wonderful he took a stand for freedom and asked the Yemeni government to live up to its own stated goals.
Ambassador Abdulwahab Abdulla Al-Hajjri
Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
2600 Virginia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037Dear Ambassador Al-Hajjri:
I write as a member of the United States Congress to express my deep concern over the impending sentencing of journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani on May 21, 2008. Mr. al-Khaiwani has been charged with various alleged crimes for his work as a journalist; however, he is being tried in a specialized penal court which handles terrorists and is facing a death sentence. As you are likely already aware, Mr. al-Khaiwani was imprisoned for seven months in 2004 for similar charges, however he received a parson from President Ali Abdullah Saleh in March 2005.
Mr. al-Khaiwani is a highly respected independent journalist, yet his newspaper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. We are aware that when he was arrested at his home in June of 2007 his young daughter was knocked unconscious by security forces. Moreover, he was denied medical treatment for multiple injuries he received during the arrest, and was denied access to his attorney and to his family members for several weeks after he was first detained.
In responding to the arrest of Mr. al-Khaiwani, the United States Department of State stated this case “points to disturbing trend of intimidation and harassment of Yemen’s journalist community.” The Government of Yemen’s arrest of Mr. al-Khaiwani along with the harassment of other journalists and media outlets by government officials raises serious concerns about Yemen’s commitment to protect critical right to freedom of expression among other international human rights.
While Mr. al-Khaiwani was often critical of government corruption and human rights abuses, the ability to peacefully express one’s opinion is an important aspect of freedom of expression, which is essential in any democratic society. While Mr. al-Khaiwani has been released for medical purposes and has gained access to his family and lawyer, I am very concerned that he continues to face the death penalty for expressing his basic human rights in a public hearing this Wednesday, May 21st
I call upon the Government of Yemen to live up to its own stated values of democracy and human rights, and to pardon and drop all charges against Mr. al-Khaiwani. Moreover, I urge the Government of Yemen to protect the freedom of expression by ceasing to all harassment, threats, and censorship of individuals exercising their rights to the peaceful expression of their opinions and beliefs.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter. I look forward to discussion these concerns with you further.
Most Sincerely,
Trent Franks
United States Congress
