The Yemeni government on Tuesday renewed its calls for the international community to place real pressure on Iran-backed Houthi militias to unconditionally release all detained and abducted journalists.
Dozens of journalists have been held in Houthi prisons since the conflict erupted in 2014.
Speaking on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Yemen's Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani asserted that all Houthi leaders and militants behind abuses and violations against journalists will not escape punishment.
“The day will come when they (Houthis) will be held accountable,” Eryani promised.
“On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we remember the thousands of crimes and violations by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against journalists, including killing, abduction, arrest, enforced disappearance, torture, forced exile, displacement and looting of property,” Eryani said.
“We remember with deep pain our fellow journalists in Houthis prisons, who face execution orders for their political opinions,” Eryani added.
The crimes against journalists reveal the Houthis’ “ugly side,” he said.
“We call on the international community and organizations concerned with protecting journalists to review the tragic conditions experienced by journalists in areas controlled by Houthi militias and condemn the crimes and violations against them,” Eryani said.
The minister also pressed the international community to pressure Houthis into releasing journalists and social media activists without any conditions.
Last month, the insurgents released five journalists who had been detained for years as part of a prisoner swap deal they sealed with the legitimate government.
Even though they released five journalists, Houthis are still holding many others captive.
In Houthi prisons, journalists face the threat of baseless death sentences issued by militant authorities that charge them with treason and other crimes.
Since 2014, Houthis have embarked on raiding all government and private media outlets, arresting hundreds of journalists and media workers and subjecting them to torture.
Yemeni government officials have slammed Houthis for refusing to release remaining journalists as part of the recent prisoner exchange deal that took place in October under UN mediation.
