Ms Tawakkol Karman

On 6 October 2009, human rights defenders Ms Tawakkol Karman and Ms Lubna Al-Gedsi were reportedly attacked by security men during a peaceful protest in Sana'a. Tawakkol Karman is the chairwoman of Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), which campaigns for freedom of the press in Yemen. Lubna Al-Gedsi is the coordinator of the Rights and Freedoms section at WJWC.

Further Information

Front Line has previously expressed concern about death threats against Tawakkol Karman in April 2008. On 28 September 2009, human rights defender Mr Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf was abducted in Sana'a and his whereabouts are unknown. Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf is a teacher and a member of the Yemeni Organisation for the Defence of Democratic Rights and Freedom (YODRFD), which campaigns for the protection of the rights of detainees, particularly those related to the Sa'da conflict.

Tawakkol Karman and Lubna Al-Gedsi were attending a sit-in in Freedom Square in Sana'a to call for the re-opening of Al-Ayam newspaper and for the release of prominent journalist Mohammed Al-Megaleh, when the demonstration was violently dispersed. Both human rights defenders were then reportedly attacked by security men who took their banners from their hands and broke a camera they were using.

WJWC has been actively campaigning for freedom of the press in Yemen, where there has been a sharp escalation in violations of freedom of expression, especially in relation to the two conflicts in Sa’da and in South Yemen. More than seven newspapers have been closed during 2009 and many journalists have been harassed and judicially prosecuted, such as human rights defender and journalist Mr Anees Mansoor, or detained, such as human rights defender and journalist, Mr Salah Yahya el-Saqladi, who has been held incommunicado in an unconfirmed location since his arrest on 18 June 2009. WCWJ has confirmed its intention to sue the Ministry of the Interior and the security personnel who attacked demonstrators and violated their rights to freedom of assembly and expression. It further intends to continue to organise weekly sit-ins in Freedom Square.

In a separate incident, human rights defender Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf was abducted on 28 September 2009. Eye witnesses claimed that armed men dressed in plain clothes surrounded Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf while entering a drugstore at Ma'reb Street in Sana'a and took him away in a mini-bus.

YODRFD campaigns for the protection of the rights of detainees, particularly those related to the Sa'da conflict. Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf has been working in the monitoring and documentation section of the YODRFD and advocating for the release of detainees. One year ago, security men broke into his house when he was not present, which was considered as an act of intimidation.

Front Line believes that the attack on Tawakkol Karman and Lubna Al-Gedsi, and the abduction of Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, are directly related to their work in the defence of human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and assembly, and of prisoners' rights. Front Line is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, Tawakkol Karman, Lubna Al-Gedsi, and other human rights defenders in Yemen.

Front Line urges the authorities in Yemen to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, as Front Line believes that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;

2. Carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the abduction of Ali Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, and into the attack on Tawakkol Karman and Lubna Al Gedsi, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of aforementioned human rights defenders;

4. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Yemen are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.