Yemen: Journalists Under Assault – Human Rights Watch

Report on Violations Against Journalists in Yemen and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A report by Human Rights Watch documents serious human rights violations committed against journalists and media institutions by warring parties in Yemen, including the Houthis, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and the Yemeni government. These actions represent a significant impediment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to peace, justice, and fundamental freedoms.

Systematic Violations and Their Impact on SDG 16

The documented abuses directly undermine SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by attacking the rule of law, promoting violence, and weakening institutional accountability. The report details a wide range of violations based on interviews and evidence analysis from October 2024 to May 2025.

• Arbitrary Detention: The report documents cases of journalists being arbitrarily detained, with three held by the Houthis and two by the STC since November 2023.
• Enforced Disappearances: Four journalists were forcibly disappeared by warring parties.
• Torture and Inhuman Treatment: Released journalists reported severe torture in prison, with one Houthi official quoted as saying, “We pray to God by torturing journalists.”
• Coercion of Family Members: Authorities have detained family members to coerce journalists into confessing to false charges or ceasing their work.

These actions are in direct contravention of several targets within SDG 16:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

Consequences for Freedom of Expression and Information Access (SDG 16.10)

The systematic targeting of journalists has created a climate of fear, severely encroaching on freedom of expression and the public’s right to information, which is central to SDG Target 16.10 (Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms). The seizure and shutdown of at least five major media institutions further cripple the information landscape.

Key Consequences:

• Exodus of Journalists: Many media professionals have fled Yemen due to fear of abuse.
• Self-Censorship: Journalists who remain in the country have limited their reporting to avoid being targeted.
• Erosion of Safe Working Environments: The constant threat of violence, surveillance, and detention violates the principles of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), specifically Target 8.8, which calls for protecting labor rights and promoting safe and secure working environments.
• Shrinking Civic Space: Authorities detain journalists for actions as minor as critical social media posts, indicating a near-total collapse of the space for free expression.

Recommendations for International Action in Line with SDG 17

In alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the report calls for concerted international action to address these violations and hold perpetrators accountable. The following recommendations are urged:

1. UN member states should raise concerns about violations against journalists at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session.
2. The international community must call for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained journalists.
3. The UNHRC should pass a resolution condemning these violations and requesting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor and report on the situation.
4. Relevant UN special rapporteurs and working groups should request a visit to Yemen to investigate and document human rights abuses against journalists.
5. All warring parties must end their abusive practices against media workers and institutions to restore fundamental freedoms and enable progress toward the SDGs in Yemen.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal is central to the article as it focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The article details the systematic violations against journalists, the breakdown of the rule of law, the lack of accountability for perpetrators, and the weakening of media institutions, all of which are core components of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Several targets under SDG 16 are directly relevant to the issues described:

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The article explicitly discusses violence against journalists, stating that “Many journalists have been killed in Yemen over the last 11 years of fighting, including likely assassinations by warring parties.” It also documents cases of “torture, and other inhuman treatment,” which directly relates to reducing all forms of violence.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article highlights a severe lack of justice and rule of law. It notes that for the killings of journalists, “there have not been adequate investigations to determine who was responsible in most instances.” The widespread use of “arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances,” and holding journalists on “bogus charges” demonstrates a failure to uphold the rule of law and provide access to justice.

   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

     This is the most prominent target addressed. The entire article is about the suppression of press freedom. It states that “Targeting journalists and media institutions has encroached on freedom of expression.” The article details how journalists have fled the country or limited their reporting, and how authorities have seized and shut down media organizations, directly undermining public access to information and violating the fundamental freedom of expression.

   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

     The article points to the failure of national institutions to protect journalists and press freedom. The seizure of the “Yemeni Journalists Syndicate” is a direct attack on a relevant national institution. Furthermore, the call for “UN member states” and various “UN special rapporteur” bodies to intervene highlights the need for international cooperation to address the shortcomings of national institutions in preventing these violations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article provides specific data and qualitative descriptions that align with official SDG indicators:

   • Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates.

     The article provides direct data for this indicator. Human Rights Watch “documented 14 cases of abuses against journalists,” including “five who were… arbitrarily detained,” “Four were forcibly disappeared,” and “Four journalists who were previously detained said they were severely tortured.” It also mentions that “Many journalists have been killed.”

   • Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population.

     While not providing a rate, the article implies data for this indicator by stating, “Many journalists have been killed in Yemen over the last 11 years of fighting, including likely assassinations by warring parties.” This points to intentional homicides that are not being adequately investigated.

   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.

     The article implies that this proportion is extremely low or that reporting leads to no action. The statement that “there have not been adequate investigations to determine who was responsible” suggests a complete failure of competent authorities to process and act on these crimes, discouraging any form of reporting or pursuit of justice.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hrw.org