Belqees Satellite Channel denounces the repression, restriction of freedoms of expression

In a statement of Belqees Satellite Channel condemned the targeting of journalists Fahmi Al-Saqqaf and Sami Al-Kaf, who are prevented from the participation in the satellite television channel by the security belt forces. This flagrant violation against Yemeni journalists and direct target of freedom of the press by the Houthi militia and armed entities supported by the Arab Coalition is part of an attempt to silence witnesses and cover up abuses that have been being inflicted on civilians for more than four years.

Read the entire statement..

“To the att. of: The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate The Federation of Arab Journalists The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Reporters Without Borders Human Rights Watch Amnesty International The Committee to Protect Journalists Article 19 Dear colleagues, After greetings of freedom and appreciation For the second time, security forces loyal to the UAE forces in the Yemeni capital of Aden have prevented journalists from participating through satellite programs in Belqees satellite channel to comment on the overall situation of the country. Dear all, In mid-July, the security belt forces prevented the participation of journalist Fahmi Al-Saqqaf in the channel’s programs and prevented him from any participation in any satellite television channel broadcast from the city of Aden through an investor services office, the only office in the city. On July 31, the Media Services Office informed Belqees and the journalist Sami Al-Kaf of a decision issued by the security belt forces to prevent Al-Kaf from appearing in one of the channel’s evening shows named “The Yemeni Evening”. The office informed the channel that there was an order to close it if any of the journalists’ colleagues were hosted to participate in any of the channel’s programs. Dear Gentlemen, What has happened and is happening in the repression and restriction of public freedoms and freedom of expression is a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions and a direct target of freedom of press. We call on the legitimate government and the Ministry of the Interior to intervene with the UAE-backed forces in Aden to end the situation of restriction and prevention of the right of our colleagues, Al-Saqqaf and Al-Kaf, and to ensure their safety and their right to exercise freedom of expression. We appeal to all human rights and press organizations to fight all abuses and violations against Yemeni journalists and to provide them with moral and legal support to stand up against the hunters of freedom of press. The targeting of Yemeni journalists in Sana’a, Aden and other areas by the Houthi militia and armed entities supported by the Arab Coalition is part of an attempt to silence witnesses and cover up abuses that have been being inflicted on civilians for more than four years. Your support and stand with the Yemeni journalists, including 15 journalists who have been under the custody of the Houthi militia for over three years, dozens of journalists continue to be subjected to violations by various parties, hundreds of Yemeni journalists have been unpaid for over three years, and dozens of news newspapers, channels and websites were blocked or closed as a result of the coup of the Houthi militia. Belqees Satellite Channel”