Yemen: Journalists’ union in Aden allowed to resume its activities following IFJ reaction

On 23 November, the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak cancelled the arbitrary measures taken one week earlier against the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) in Aden. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the YJS, in welcoming the Prime Minister's decision to revoke the suspension and allow the journalists' union in Aden to resume its crucial work.

Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, Prime Minister of Yemen, speaks during an event in Qatar on 9 September, 2024. Credit: Karim Jaafar/AFP

Following a statementissued by the IFJ on 20 November, the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak has rescinded arbitrary measures against the journalists' union in Aden, which is now allowed to resume its activities.

According to the country's official news agency, Saba News Agency, the Prime Minister considered"the historical symbolism of this venerable professional union entity that was established in 1976", while highlighting that "all ministries and government agencies [must be] committed to protecting freedom of expression".

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger welcomed the news and praised the fundamental work that the YJS is carrying out in Yemen. "We welcome the decision of the Prime Minister, which will allow the union to resume its vital work in the country, promoting journalists' safety and defending their rights. The YJS is one of the few unions that operates in the country, despite the war. At the same time, we reiterate our call on the government to take action to ensure that the offices of our affiliate in Aden are returned to the rightful owners.

On 28 February 2023, armed men stormed and seizedthe union headquarters in Aden. The assailants belonged to the Southern Media and Journalists' Syndicate, an organisation supported by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a secessionist organisation in southern Yemen that controls the city.

"The seizure of the YJS headquarter in Aden is a shameful attack on the trade union movement and the rights of journalists and media workers in the country," Bellanger added.