Protect Media Freedom in Yemen

Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen's most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. On June 9, he was senteced to six years in prison for "insulting the president" and "demoralizing the military."
 
During his arrest in June of 2007, Al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen's president.
 
There is growing fear that al-Khaiwani's sentence will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen's already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani's supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.

1638 people have sent letters as part of this campaign. Click here to see who has sent a letter.

Fill out the form below to e-mail a letter to:

  • Abdulwahab Abdulla Al-Hajjri, Yemen's Ambassador to the US
  • Huda Ali Abdullatef Alban, Yemen's Minister of Human Rights
  • Joseph Barghout, Human Rights Officer, US State Department
  • Patricia Llombart-Cussac, EU Representative to Yemen
  • Tim Torlot, British Ambassador to Yemen
Protect Press Freedom in Yemen: Al-Khaiwani Case
Dear [Decision Maker],

I write to protest Yemen's sentencing of journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani to six years in prison with hard labor for allegedly "insulting the president."

Al-Khaiwani is an outspoken independent writer repeatedly targeted by authorities. His newspaper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. Yemeni and international human rights groups have observed that the charges are simply political retribution and pose a serious threat to Yemen's emerging free press.

Please intervene to ensure Al-Khaiwani is pardoned and that freedom of expression for all Yemeni journalists is protected.

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