al-khaiwani: imprisoning free speech
you will remember many of us have been blogging about abdul karim al-khaiwani, who has been awaiting sentencing by the government of yemen. and now we know.
yemen is a country with little or no regard for human rights, democratic principles, and freedom for their people. they actively suppress journalists like al-khawani who seek to uncover and promote truth.
here's a partial report from jane novak who has been leading the blogging charge:
This from the same court that finds it legal and even admirable when Yemenis murder Iraqis in Iraq. But writing about the Yemeni civilians suffering during Ali Mohsen’s personal jihad in Sa’ada is punishable by six years in jail.
Every journalist in Yemen is much less free now. And so is the world.“Among those sentenced to jail was Abdul Kareem al-Khaiwani, editor of al-Shura newspaper, who is accused of supporting al-Houthi rebellion in Sa’ada because photos of the fighting in Saada were found with him….
Also he interviewed some of the rebels, ergo he is trying to overthrow the state, as opposed to engaging in normal journalistic practices.”
there has been some real truth to come of this whole al-khaiwani's ordeal:
At least no one believes the Yemeni regime anymore. The government has been totally discredited on both the “partner in the war on Terror” and the “emerging democracy” fronts. Its pretty clear they are a mafia like tyranny that is more loyal to bin Laden than to the West with no respect for civil rights.
and we can only imagine what this fine yemeni journalist will go through for the next six years. this has a chilling effect to any progress made toward democratic principles and freedom of speech in places like yemen. they wanted him dead but for jane's vigilence, her incredible blogging, and her tireless advocacy.
