The SEMC’s Report on Media Freedoms in Yemen

In this investigative report, SEMC provides comprehensive coverage of journalist Nabil Al-Sadawi’s ordeal which was the result of his professional activity as a reporter, ranging from unfair trial to harsh treatment, physical and psychological torture, and forced disappearance, all of which are in blatant violation of the relevant national and international laws and conventions. It was only after more than four and a half years of unjustified arrest, that he was allowed to sit alone with his lawyer to discuss the charges against him. This investigative report has relied on the testimonies of fellow detainees, the testimony of family members, and the appointed defense lawyer.

Through this investigative report, SEMC explores why journalist Al-Sadawi was not released within the legally prescribed period under the Yemeni law, being 15 days as of the date of issuance of the ruling against Al-Sadawi. Indeed, despite numerous appeals and procedural barriers, the prosecution continued to resist providing Al-Sadawi with due process. Eventually, the Court of Appeals ordered his release. Despite this order, Al-Sadawi remains in detention. This report has further documented the deliberate medical negligence inflected upon journalist Nabil Al-Sadawi, based on a document issued by Ansar Allah controlled prosecution department.

This report also attempts to present a comprehensive documentation of the unlawful practices and blatant violation, including but not limited to killings, enforced disappearances, and torture that today have become one of the hallmarks of one of the most difficult times that Yemeni journalists have ever experienced. Such violations, according to documented testimonies, include trials conducted illegally, and not abiding by even the minimum acceptable legal procedures, whether in the conduct of investigations and/or trials. At the end of this investigative report, SEMC provides recommendations to the concerned authorities, whether domestic or international, in order to intervene and save journalist Nabil Al-Sadawi from the tragic situation he has been suffering through for more than 8 years.

An Arabic copy can be found at:

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