Barran Press
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the Yemeni government's decision to shut down the offices of the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate in Aden, the temporary capital. In a statement released on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 & reviewed by Barran Press, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger called the move "arbitrary" and urged the government to reverse its decision.
The IFJ statement criticized the government for obstructing the work of journalists and their unions, asserting that "politics should not hinder the critical work of the journalists' syndicate in promoting journalists' safety and defending their rights, especially in a country known for its hostility towards the press." Bellanger specifically demanded the reinstatement of the syndicate's Aden offices, allowing journalists to resume their vital work.
The closure, ordered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor on November 14th, cited the syndicate's alleged failure to comply with legal requirements since Aden was declared the temporary capital. The ministry claimed the syndicate hadn't updated its legal status, transferred its headquarters to Aden, or held elections under the ministry's supervision. The ministry also accused the syndicate of operating illegally in liberated governorates.
The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate denounced the closure as a repressive measure within a pattern of systematic targeting, citing previous seizures and raids on their offices. The syndicate's statement, released on November 16th, highlighted the unconstitutional nature of the closure and the threats against Aden branch head Mahmoud Thabet. The syndicate vowed to defend its existence and the freedom of all civil unions in Yemen, calling for the return of its seized Aden headquarters and protection for its leadership. They also urged the authorities to ensure the safety of Thabet and other union leaders. The syndicate emphasized that these actions violate fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms.