Geneva – SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties has strongly condemned the assault on journalist Imad Mahdi Al-Dini in the city of Mukalla, Hadhramaut, by a security force. The organization described this as a serious violation that reflects the dire reality facing press freedoms in the country. It emphasized the urgent need to protect journalists and media professionals, ensuring their ability to work freely and safely without fear of intimidation or assault.
SAM, quoting the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, reported that "a security force raided the home of journalist Imad Mahdi Al-Dini, a syndicate member and the head of Murakiboon Media Foundation as well as the editor-in-chief of Akhbar Hadhramaut newspaper, in Mukalla on the morning of Thursday, February 20, 2025. The security forces assaulted Al-Dini in front of his children, instilling fear and panic in his family, before taking him to an undisclosed location without any legal justification."
The organization stressed that this attack constitutes a grave violation of press freedom and a blatant threat to human rights in Yemen, particularly amid the increasing systematic violations against journalists. It pointed out that raiding homes, assaulting journalists, and abducting them represents a severe infringement on freedom of expression and the fundamental right to personal security and safety.
SAM also highlighted that the attack on journalist Imad Al-Dini contravenes the Yemeni Constitution and local laws, which guarantee the protection of journalists. Specifically, Article 13 of the Yemeni Press and Publications Law explicitly states that "the freedom of the press shall not be infringed upon or restricted, and no journalist shall be investigated or detained for practicing their profession except by judicial order in accordance with the law."
SAM considers the assault on Al-Dini a crime that warrants accountability and prosecution. It calls on both local and international parties to take a firm stance against this serious attack, which undermines press freedom and threatens societal security.
The organization urges the local authorities in Hadhramaut to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Imad Al-Dini. It also demands an independent and transparent investigation into the assault and abduction, holding those responsible for this serious violation accountable. SAM reaffirms the importance of respecting press freedom and expression and rejects the use of security agencies to suppress independent media voices.
Furthermore, SAM appeals to international human rights and press freedom organizations to condemn this violation and pressure Yemeni authorities to ensure the protection of journalists. The organization also calls on the UN Special Envoy to Yemen to include the targeting of journalists in his periodic reports and to exert pressure on all parties to safeguard press freedom in Yemen.