As a result of the harsh and unprecedented conditions faced by male and female journalists in Yemen, a climate rife with flagrant violations has emerged, driven by the control of conflicting powers in various regions. These powers have imposed their own laws, disregarding both national and international legislation, thereby undermining press freedom. In light of these practices, this Report presents a legal analysis of these cases to highlight the irregularities and illegal abuses carried out by security and judicial authorities against journalists, which have negatively impacted the press landscape.
Male and female journalists have found themselves in direct confrontation with the suppression of security and judicial authorities, operating under clear political and military influence. This hostile environment manifested in the restriction of their freedoms. In 2024 alone, the Media Freedom Observatory documented 40 cases of summonses and investigations by security and judicial authorities, which subsequently led to fabricated charges. Most of these cases were referred to regular courts and specialized criminal courts in both areas under the control of the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) and those governed by the Yemeni internationally recognized government.
Our analysis is based on a review of a collection of case files, including investigation procedures, indictments, and other documents and data provided by the Observatory team. This team has taken on the responsibility of defending and supporting several of these cases. Additionally, we have utilized human rights reports from local and international organizations.
The Yemeni legal texts referenced in this Report include:
- The Yemeni Constitution
- Press and Publications Law No. (25) of 1990
- Right to Access Information Law No. (13) of 2012
- International human rights laws regulating journalism and its rights and freedoms at both national and international levels
- Criminal laws such as the Criminal Procedures Law No. (13) of 1994, which outlines the legal procedures applied to journalists, the general principles ensuring the application of law, justice, and the protection of journalists’ rights and freedoms
- The Penal Code, which judicial authorities use to classify journalistic work as criminal acts subject to legal penalties.
To analyze these illegal practices that negatively impact press freedom, we have highlighted the violations committed by security and judicial authorities. This includes actions performed under the “journalistic work,” which the law protects. Journalists must also understand the behaviors that could expose them to risks during times of conflict and recognize the preventative measures that help preserve their freedom and physical safety.
In this Report, we present a legal analytical study of a collection of judicial cases documented by the Media Freedom Observatory in Yemen alongside human rights reports issued by local and international organizations. This is in recognition of the importance of these cases in protecting journalism in Yemen.
The cases will be classified in accordance with Yemeni and international laws. The Report also provides an overview of national legislation directly related to journalism, a brief examination of the journalistic landscape over the past decade, and the illegal violations and abuses perpetrated by security and judicial authorities. Additionally, it includes case studies drawn from real files, with descriptions of the illegal actions faced by journalists and references to relevant national and international legal texts.
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