International Organizations’ Statements After al-Khaiwani’s Sentencing June 9 to Six Years Hard Labor
June 11 Article 19, UK:
We therefore call on Yemen to reaffirm its commitment to democratic reforms and respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of expression of media professionals and the right to a fair trial, and to allow for an appeal of the verdict.
June 11 International Press Institute, Austria :
“Al-Khaiwany has been targeted for his critical reporting in the past, calling into question the real motives behind his conviction and lengthy sentence. We urge the appellate courts to objectively review his case to ensure that Al-Khaiwany does not remain imprisoned simply for daring to speak out against the government.”
June 10 Front Line Defenders, Ireland:
Front Line believes that Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment as a result of his legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his work to promote democracy and the right to freedom of expression in Yemen. Front Line is concerned that the imprisonment of Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is part of an ongoing trend of harassment against human rights defenders in Yemen.
June 10 Reporters Sans Frontiers, France:
“The press has become a convenient scapegoat, as is often the case when the political climate in a country deteriorates. This sentence is unacceptable and will serve as a warning to all those who criticise the government in the media. We appeal to the authorities to act with lucidity and release Khaiwani at once.”
June 10 International Freedom of Expression Exchange, Canada:
OUTSPOKEN JOURNALIST GETS SIX-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE, Al-Khaiwani’s sentence confirms fears of a clampdown on free expression in Yemen, often in the name of the war on terror.
June 9, 2008 The Committee to Protect Journalists, US
“From the outset, this case has been about settling scores with a journalist because of his political news coverage. We hope that the appellate court will overturn this judgment, which makes a mockery of Yemen’s professed support for democracy and freedom of the press.”
June 9 Arabic Netrwork for Human Rights, CAIRO
“Despite the courage of many Yemeni Journalists, Al-Khaiwani was exposed to security [persecution] because of his critical writings against the Yemeni Government and president, which seem to be the reason behind the tough sentence.”
June 9 American Islamic Congress, US
“We call on Yemen’s president to correct this mistake and pardon al-Khaiwani. Otherwise it will appear that the Yemeni regime is tougher on independent journalists than on Al Qaeda terrorists.”
June 9 Amnesty International, UK
YEMEN: JAILING OF JOURNALIST IN LINE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD CONDEMNED Mr Al-Khaiwani, who was on trial with 13 other defendants, appears to have been convicted as a result of his professional work as a journalist, including his coverage of armed clashes between government forces and supporters of the late Zaidi Shiâa cleric Hussein Badr al-Din al-Huthi in the northern Yemeni province of Saâ’da.
And:
June 9 US State Department, US :
The conviction and sentencing of Yemeni journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani to six years in prison points to a distressing trend in Yemen of intimidation and prosecution of independent journalists in criminal and security courts….We call upon the Government of Yemen to protect Yemeni journalists and their right to free expression in the pursuit of their profession. A free and independent media is a key component of a democratic society.
