A/HRC/42/CRP.1 391. A male University student and social media activist602, or so-called “citizen journalist” was arrested in 2016 in Sana’a and beaten up by men dressed in civilian clothes. He was accused of being a follower of President Hadi and supporting the coalition. He was subsequently arbitrarily detained in five different centres in Sana’a, where he was subjected to physical and psychological ill-treatment, including being threatened with death as a means of forcing him to “sign” the minutes of his interrogation with his fingerprint. During his detention, he was forcibly disappeared at different stages, for periods of up to one month. 392. Despite an order from the general prosecutor in 2017 to release him on the grounds that he had exceeded the period during which he could be held without formal charges filed, he remained arbitrarily detained at the time of writing.603 Arrest and detention of journalists between June and December 2018 393. Over the period ranging from June to December 2018, the Group of Experts investigated seven cases (all men) of arbitrary arrest and detention affecting journalists and media workers in Sana’a.604 In at least three instances, journalists were violently arrested, with their houses raided and personal effects taken. None of the seven journalists detained by the de facto authorities had their cases presented to a prosecutor or had a hearing before a judicial body. Six of them were forcibly disappeared for periods ranging from three weeks to five months. They were held in various locations, including the criminal investigation department and secret detention places. At least one of them suffered physical ill-treatment. Four of them were released, and three remain in custody in Sana’a. In addition, the Group received credible information relating to a journalist who was reportedly arrested in Sana’a in April 2015, allegedly by Houthi-Saleh fighters. More than four years later, his whereabouts and fate remain unknown.605 394. Detained journalists were all either working for media outlets affiliated with the opposition or critical to the Houthis. The large number of journalists that have been arbitrarily detained in inhumane detention conditions, some of whom were submitted to illtreatment, has also had a chilling effect on journalists as well as ordinary civilians wanting to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression. The Group of Experts confirmed that 14 journalists (all men) remain in detention to date in Sana’a. They were all detained in direct relation to the legitimate exercise of their profession or their right to freedom of expression. The de facto authorities have used their control of the capital to undermine and restrict freedom of opinion and expression and to target journalists and media workers, as well as those expressing their opposition or political views in any form or shape. Restrictions on freedom of association and assembly The deteriorating environment for political activists and human rights defenders, including women’s organisations. 395. The targeting of “perceived opposition” in Sana’a affected political opposition as well as men and women human rights defenders and civil society organizations working on issues not deemed in line with the Houthi ideology. Since 2015, the de facto authorities have reportedly raided or closed the premises of at least 52 human rights and civil society organizations.606 The targeting of human rights defenders had already begun in 2014. The Group of Experts received numerous reports of human rights defenders being banned by the de facto authorities from travelling outside the country or being interrogated when returning from activities held abroad. The Group also investigated violations committed against human rights defenders – including women human rights defenders – that occurred 602 Confidential Sources on File. Confidential Sources on File. 604 Confidential Sources on File. 605 Confidential Sources on File. 606 UN Human Rights Yemen Report 2017 - A/HRC/36/33, p. 14. 603 96