WAN is appalled by the series of attacks and harassment carried out by the authorities since 4 May. At least seven newspapers have been confiscated or suspended and several journalists have been arrested, as the government attempts to silence independent coverage of the increasing tensions in the south of the country.

In recent days, the intimidation has taken on a more violent nature. On 13 May three staff working for the independent daily Al Ayyam were injured when police surrounded and opened fire on its offices. This follows recent efforts by the authorities to ban the printing of the newspaper, issuing lawsuits against it, seizing 50,000 copies of the paper and blocking its website. Its employees have also received regular death threats.

The Board of WAN calls on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to immediately halt the government’s campaign to intimidate the press, to allow media to report on all issues free from state influence and to fully respect international standards of freedom of expression.