IFJ condemns attempts by Houthis in Yemen to silence press

BRUSSELS, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said here Wednesday that last week the Houthis refused to allow the printing of the Yemeni Socialist Party's official newspaper, Al Thawri, whose print house is in a region under the rebels' control.
"In its war against the press and journalists, the al Houthi group has used violence and cruelty, including killing journalists, bombing and occupying media institutions. Journalists have faced unprecedented intimidation," said the IFJ in a statement and urged the warring parties not to censor any voice so that media pluralism is fully respected in the country.
The IFJ also condemned the killing of TV cameraman Hashem Al-Hamran following an air raid in the city of Dahian last week.
"We are saddened to hear about the death of our Yemeni colleague, Hashem Al-Hamran," said IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger. "In a space of one week, we have lost two Yemeni journalists," he noted.
His death comes a few days after the kiliing of Al-Migdad Mojalli, who worked for Voice of America, also following an air strike.
Yemen remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world. According to the IFJ, at least 10 journalists were killed last year in the country.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents around 600,000 journalists in 139 countries worldwide. (end) nk.hb