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| WAN-IFRA Condemns Killing of Yemeni Journalist | ||||
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Paris, France and Darmstadt, Germany, 17 February 2010 WAN-IFRA has condemned the murder of journalist Shu'i Al-Rabu'I in Yemen and called on the government to quickly investigate and prosecute the case. "We are seriously concerned at the worsening situation of press freedom in your country," WAN-IFRA said in a letter to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. "In recent months several newspapers have been closed and at least four journalists have been jailed. Mr Al-Rabu'I is the first journalist to have been murdered since North and South Yemen merged in 1990." Mr Al-Rabu'i, a correspondent for several publications including the newspaper Al-Qahira, was shot at his home on 13 February. Reports suggest that the murderers may have been gang members angered by Mr Al-Rabu'i's coverage of gang activities, and several men have been arrested. WAN-IFRA called on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to do everything possible to ensure that Mr Al-Rabu'i's murderers are properly detained and quickly prosecuted. Doing so would send a clear message "that those who kill, attack or intimidate journalists can not do so with impunity." The full letter reads: His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh 17 February 2010 Your Excellency, We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries, to express our grave concern at the murder of journalist Mohammed Shu'i Al-Rabu'i. According to reports, Mr Al-Rabu'i, a correspondent for several publications including the newspaper Al-Qahira which is published by the main opposition party, was shot at his home on 13 February in the district of Beni Qais, northwest of Sana'a. Several men who attacked him late last year but were released before charges were brought have reportedly been arrested on suspicion of murder. Reports suggest that the murderers may have been gang members angered by Mr Al-Rabu'i's coverage of gang activities. We are seriously concerned at the worsening situation of press freedom in your country. In recent months several newspapers have been closed and at least four journalists have been jailed. Mr Al-Rabu'i is the first journalist to have been murdered since North and South Yemen merged in 1990. We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of intimidation. Such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship. We respectfully call on you to do everything possible to ensure that Mr Al-Rabu'i's murderers are properly detained and quickly prosecuted. We urge you to ensure that those who kill, attack or intimidate journalists can not do so with impunity. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, Gavin O'Reilly Xavier Vidal-Folch |
