[03/05/2018 02:48]

ADEN -SABA

The Ministry of Human Rights has called on journalists, media bandits and civil society activists to launch an advocacy campaign aimed at putting an end to Houthi rebels' serious violations against journalists.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, May 3, the ministry said that it is participating in celebrating the Day to publicize the grave violations that the rebels have been committing against press freedom and freedom of expression since the start of their coup d'état in September 2014 up to this moment.

The ministry said the rebels have been treating journalists as "legitimate targets of their deliberate attacks."

"The rebel militia considers journalists more dangerous (than government soldiers) so Yemen has become a dangerous and hostile environment for journalists," read the statement.

Hundreds of violations have been committed, ranging from deliberate killing to attempted murder, kidnappings, arrests, torture, attacks, threats, incitement, and confiscation of property of journalists and media institutions, says the statement.

The ministry stressed the importance of the judiciary's role in prosecuting the perpetrators of crimes against journalists.

It confirmed that it will monitor and document all violations and will work to refer them to the judiciary to prosecute the perpetrators and bring justice to them.

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