Yemen: Global solidarity with four journalists sentenced to death

Amnesty International, in partnership with the Samir Kassir Foundation, has today released a solidarity video in support of four Yemeni journalists who remain at risk of execution after being sentenced to death three months ago by the Houthi-run Specialized Criminal Court following a grossly unfair trial.

Akram Al-Walidi, Abdelkhaleq Amran, Hareth Hamid and Tawfiq Al-Mansouri were sentenced to death on 11 April 2020 after convictions on trumped-up charges. Along with six other journalists, they had been awaiting trial since 2015 until December 2019 when the first hearing took place. All ten journalists had been suffering from a range of medical issues, for which they did not receive adequate medical attention.

These men and their families must know that they are not alone. Amnesty International and the Samir Kassir Foundation, along with journalists from across the region, stand in solidarity with them and will continue to fight for their release

Lynn Maalof

“Even before the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen, detainees’ access to adequate health care was lacking. One can only imagine their loved ones’ worry for their wellbeing in this dire situation,” said Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director.

“These men and their families must know that they are not alone. Amnesty International and the Samir Kassir Foundation, along with journalists from across the region, stand in solidarity with them and will continue to fight for their release. 

“The Huthi de facto authorities must immediately quash their death sentences, drop all pending charges and release all journalists imprisoned for their work.”

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution. The organization campaigns for total abolition of the death penalty.

For more information, please visit our story page: Yemen war: No end in sight