Yemeni Journalists Union Raises Alarm Over Detained Reporters' Health

The Yemeni Journalists Union has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of detained journalist Walid Ali Ghalib and other reporters held by Houthi militias, citing a severe lack of necessary medical care.

The union reported receiving an alert from colleagues of Walid Ali Ghalib, who serves as the deputy head of the union's branch in Hodeidah, indicating a critical decline in his health while in Houthi custody. Ghalib and his fellow detained journalists are reportedly being denied essential medical attention.

The organization is urging for an immediate disclosure of Ghalib's health status, permission for him to be visited, and the unconditional release of all detained journalists. The union highlighted recurring reports of deteriorating health conditions, denial of treatment, and restricted visits for all abducted journalists and media professionals, which pose a significant threat to their lives and exacerbate the prolonged suffering of their families.

The Yemeni Journalists Union holds the Houthi militias fully responsible for the plight of the detained colleagues and the consequences of their arbitrary treatment, continued detention, and intimidation. The union reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists detained for their professional work.

Currently, ten journalists remain in detention under alarming circumstances. These include Wahid Al-Sufi, who has been forcibly disappeared since April 2015; Nabil Al-Saddawi, detained since October 2015; Walid Ghalib; Abdelaziz Al-Nom; Abduljabbar Ziyad; Hassan Ziyad; Abdelmajeed Al-Zailai; and Asim Mohammed. Additionally, journalist Naseh Shaker, who works for the legitimate government, has been held since November 19, 2023, by elements affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council.

The union implored international organizations dedicated to press freedom and human rights, including the International Federation of Journalists and the Arab Journalists Federation, to take urgent action. The objective is to pressure for the disclosure of the conditions of detained journalists, ensure their safety, provide them with medical treatment, and facilitate their release, thereby ending their prolonged suffering and that of their families. The continued detention of journalists and denial of their fundamental rights constitute a flagrant violation of press freedom, national laws, and international covenants, necessitating immediate intervention to avert further humanitarian catastrophes.