Journalists in Yemen Continue to Face Multiple Forms of Repression
Mwatana for Human Rights stated in a statement issued today, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, that violations and restrictions on press freedom in Yemen have continued to be widely practiced since the outbreak of the armed conflict in September 2014. This occurs within a context marked by multiple actors and fragmented territorial control, alongside the absence of adequate legal and institutional safeguards to protect journalists and weak accountability mechanisms. This situation has contributed to undermining press freedom and increasing journalists’ exposure to repeated violations.
Mwatana added that this occasion serves as a reminder of the responsibility of both the local and international communities to protect press freedom, stand in solidarity with journalists and media institutions, and take urgent measures to halt violations and ensure accountability for perpetrators. This is particularly critical in light of the continued imposition of arbitrary and repressive restrictions on the press, which necessitates fostering a safe environment for journalistic work and preventing the recurrence of such violations in the future.
Mwatana reported that, from the onset of the armed conflict in late September 2014 through March 2026, it has documented at least 144 incidents of violations against journalists—both men and women—and media institutions. These violations include a wide range of abuses, such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, extrajudicial killing, threats, assaults, intimidation, and looting of journalistic equipment. They also include injuries resulting from airstrikes, ground attacks, and the use of live ammunition. In addition, violations have involved the closure of media outlets, the imposition of restrictions on publication and circulation, and the prosecution and trial of journalists in proceedings that fall short of fair trial standards. This reflects the broad scope of targeting, encompassing both individuals and institutional structures alike.
The Ansar Allah (Houthi) group bears responsibility for 62 incidents; the internationally recognized Yemeni government for 42 incidents; the Southern Transitional Council for 30 incidents; and the Saudi/UAE-led coalition for 6 incidents. Terrorist groups and Joint Forces are each responsible for 2 incidents out of the total documented cases. This has contributed to weakening the environment for journalistic work and freedom of expression, and has negatively affected professional standards and the nature of media content.
Radhiya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated:
“The right to journalism constitutes one of the fundamental guarantees enabling society to access information and understand what is happening around it. However, journalists in Yemen face widespread arbitrary restrictions within an environment that limits publication, restricts the flow of information, and undermines the independence of the press and its ability to fulfill its role.”
She added:
“When the press is restricted, it is not only journalists who are targeted, but the entire society’s right to knowledge. Behind every story that goes untold and every piece of information that is withheld, there is a reality that remains unseen and victims whose stories are never heard.”
Examples of Violations
On April 6, 2015, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group detained journalist Waheed Al-Soufi (40), editor-in-chief of Al-Arabiya newspaper and director of its website. An eyewitness told Mwatana that, on the evening of that day, he saw two armed men affiliated with the group escort Al-Soufi from inside the Tahrir Post Office in Amanat Al-Asimah into a white Toyota Land Cruiser without license plates, which then left the scene to an unknown destination.
Al-Soufi’s family reported that they attempted to locate him by searching police stations, the Public Prosecution, hospitals, the Criminal Investigation Department, and both the Political Security and National Security agencies, but all their efforts failed. Al-Soufi’s whereabouts have remained unknown, and he continues to be subjected to enforced disappearance up to the time of issuing this statement.
On January 28, 2021, authorities affiliated with the internationally recognized Yemeni government detained a 43-year-old female journalist in Marib governorate while she was on her way to obtain a passport. According to her family, an officer from the Political Security apparatus contacted her and instructed her to report to the agency’s building, stating that they had been tracking her movements since her departure from Sana’a to her arrival in Marib, including her place of residence and the individuals she had been in contact with. Upon her arrival at the agency’s building, she was detained on charges of forming a media committee against the coalition and the internationally recognized government. Since that date, the victim has remained subjected to enforced disappearance, and her fate has not been disclosed up to the time of issuing this statement.
Mwatana stated that the violations against press freedom in Yemen constitute a breach of Yemen’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly Article 19, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information without undue restrictions. As a State Party to this treaty, Yemen is legally obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights for all individuals under its jurisdiction, including ensuring freedom of expression and press freedom.
International humanitarian law also provides for the protection of journalists as civilians. Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions stipulates that journalists must be protected while carrying out their professional duties. Furthermore, Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention refers to war correspondents and their entitlement to prisoner-of-war status upon capture. Although these provisions primarily apply to international armed conflicts, they contribute to interpreting the legal status of journalists in armed conflict settings more broadly. This is further reinforced by customary international humanitarian law, particularly Rule 34, which affirms the obligation to respect and protect civilian journalists in all types of armed conflicts.
At the national level, Articles (3, 4, 5, and 6) of the Press and Publications Law No. (25) of 1990 guarantee freedom of expression and the press, as well as the right to access information. They also affirm the independence of the press, its right to publish and gather information from its sources, and the provision of legal protection for journalists, enabling them to practice their profession without accountability except within the limits of the law. This establishes a clear obligation on the authorities to protect and uphold this right under all circumstances.
Mwatana emphasized the need for the immediate cessation of all violations against journalists—both men and women—and media institutions, ensuring that they are not subjected to any form of targeting or restriction, and creating an environment that enables them to carry out their work freely and safely, without threat or persecution.
Mwatana for Human Rights called on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained on the basis of their journalistic work or opinions, to disclose the fate of those forcibly disappeared, to cease imposing restrictions on press freedom, and to guarantee the right to access and disseminate information.
Mwatana also called on the international community to strengthen protection and accountability mechanisms and to support efforts aimed at safeguarding press freedom in Yemen, in a manner that contributes to reducing impunity, enhancing the protection of journalists, and ensuring that society has access to accurate and reliable information.
