The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, leading journalists and media executives in over 112 countries, is deeply concerned about the beating of Yemeni cameraman Mujeeb Suwailih at the hands of local security forces.

Suwailih, who works for the pan-Arab news channel Al-Arabiya, was filming a protest by workers at a public textile factory in Sana’a on the evening of 29 October when he and fellow journalist Najeeb Al-Shara’abi of the Saudi Arabian based satellite channel Al-Akhbariya were approached by security forces. Several of the officers verbally threatened the journalists before attacking Suwailih. The attack continued until several of the protesting workers intervened to hold the police back. Suwailih was severely injured with three broken ribs and multiple bruises to one leg. He remains in hospital and is suffering from internal bleeding in the chest.

Both Suwailih and Al-Shara’abi were then detained for several hours at a police station in the Habra neighbourhood of Sana’a, where they were threatened by the same officers who had attacked them earlier. They were released only after members of Al-Arabiya management intervened to ensure that Suwailih could receive immediate medical attention.

Since the start of 2005, violent attacks against journalists and media workers in Yemen have become more frequent with particular pressure being placed on foreign correspondents who are accused of disloyalty against their country. Despite the increase in the number of attacks being reported, there is little action being taken to identify and punish those parties responsible.

Commenting on the treatment of the journalists, IPI Director Johann Fritz said: “For a cameraman to be so viciously beaten and for two journalists to be unjustifiably detained simply because they were carrying out their professional responsibilities to cover a public protest is completely unacceptable.”

“IPI fully supports the calls made by the management of Al-Arabiya to the Yemeni General Attorney and the Ministry of the Interior to hold a thorough and immediate investigation into this event and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.”

“Such action is necessary if the Yemeni government wishes to show that it supports a pluralistic and open media environment where journalists can carry out their work free from intimidation and harassment.”