Yémen: le journaliste et défenseur des droits humains Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani condamné à six ans de prison

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender and journalist Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani has been sentenced to six years' imprisonment on 9 June 2008. Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is former Editor-in-Chief of the pro-democracy online newspaper Al-Shoura. He is a pro-democracy activist and a campaigner for the right to freedom of expression in Yemen. He has been nominated for the 2008 Amnesty International UK Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat.

On 9 June 2008, Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by a state security court in Sana'a for conspiring with anti-government rebels. Charges of insulting the president and “demoralising the military” as well as allegations that he had links with an al-Houthi terrorist cell had been brought against Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani based on articles written about the Sa'ada war in Yemen.

The newspaper for which Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani works has been closed and his website has been blocked. His family have also been subject to physical abuse and threats. In 2004, he was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for supporting Hussain Badr al-Din al-Huthi, a cleric from the Zaidi community. On 20 June 2007, he was arrested at his home for allegedly having ties with an al-Houthi terrorist cell. According to reports, these accusations were fabricated. Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani has previously reported on human rights violations against the Zaidi community and those suspected of having links to al-Houthi. On 27 August 2007, after having been released, Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani was abducted and tortured by a gang of armed men. His family have also been subject to physical abuse and threats.

I believe 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. I am concerned that the imprisonment of Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is part of an ongoing trend of harassment against human rights defenders in Yemen. I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Abdil-Karim al-Khaiwani while in prison as well as that of his family.

I urges the authorities in Yemen to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani, as I believe that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;

2. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani as well as that of his family;

3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in Yemen are free to carry out their legitimate human-rights work without fear of restrictions or reprisals.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 6 (b and c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (b) As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms; (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters”, and to Article 12 (1 and 2): “(1) Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. (2) The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

Yours sincerely,