A/HRC/27/44
them suffering from skin diseases, reported serious health issues and limited access to
adequate medical services.13
E.
Rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association
37.
The situation of media freedoms and the safety and security of journalists
deteriorated during the reporting period. OHCHR interviewed and documented cases of
journalists as well as media who had been subjected to threats and physical attacks by
security forces and unknown armed men. On 11 June 2014, the Presidential Guard stormed
the offices of the satellite TV channel Yemen Today stopping its broadcast and confiscating
equipment. On the same day, the Yemen Today newspaper was also closed by the
Presidential Guard. As reported in the media, the Presidential Guard did not present any
written orders from the Public Prosecution.
38.
According to local sources, more than 197 cases of violations against journalists
were reported. These included threats, physical attacks and attempted assassinations. For
instance, on 28 November 2013, the Chief Editor of Masa Press survived an assassination
attempt. According to local NGOs, 62 court cases were brought against individual
journalists on different charges. As widely reported in the press, some international
correspondents were denied entry or expelled from Yemen.14
39.
The draft Law on Press and Publications15 was reviewed by the Parliamentary Media
Committee, which submitted its comments to the Parliament in September 2013. No further
development on the draft law has been recorded. A draft Media Law, prepared by an expert
committee, was submitted to the Parliament on 2 July 2013. The Parliamentary Media
Committee submitted its comments in February 2014. Members of Parliament suggested
that the draft should include press, publication, audiovisual and electronic media.
40.
Peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins by various groups continued to take place
throughout Yemen. In southern Yemen, some demonstrations have been repressed with
force by Government security forces. According to local NGOs, on 21 February 2014, one
person was killed during demonstrations in Aden, while another 20 were injured as anti-riot
forces attempted to disperse the protesters. In this context, during a protest in Al Mukallah
city, one person was killed by Government forces. At the same event, national authorities
reportedly detained seven protesters. The protests were organized by the pro-separatist
southern movement Al Hirak to express dissatisfaction with the National Dialogue
Conference outcomes and to mark the events that had left 10 people dead on 21 February
2013 during a pro-south demonstration in Aden.16
F.
Judiciary
41.
On 10 November 2013, the Parliament adopted amendments to the Judicial
Authority Law. The law, which provides for more independence of the Supreme Judicial
13
14
15
16
10
During the visit to Al Dhale’a prison, OHCHR found four women detainees held in one small cell
without any access to special premises for sanitation, food or recreation. OHCHR also documented
the case of seven boys held in shared cells with adult men.
Committee to Protect Journalists, available from www.cpj.org/2014/05/yemen-expels-1-internationaljournalist-bars-anoth.php.
See A/HRC/24/34, para. 33.
Ibid., para. 32.
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