March 20, 2008
Yemen Limits Internet Hours, Requires ID to Surf
This is unsurprising in the wake of Tuesday's mortar attack on the US embassy in Sana'a. The Yemeni regime normally blocks the net during periods of negative publicity.
Mareb Press: The 14 October police station disseminated today a circular to most of the internet cafes' owners including closing the internet café at 12 am.... "The customers should bring their identification cards with them in order to enter the internet café," he said.The officer of Rights and Liberties in Lawyers Syndicate, Mohammed al-Maswari, said in press released a copy of which was obtained by Mareb Press, this represent a clear restriction for the liberties and rights of citizens and businessmen. Eyewitness said that a number of policemen started yesterday evening closing some internet cafes in Sana'a city at 1am.
Meanwhile Yemeni President Saleh declares March 19 as "Yemeni Media Day" and someone issues a statement on behalf of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YSJ) praising the president; however it wasn't the YSJ. The YSJ was busy having a rally in support of journalist Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani who is falsely charged with terrorism. As we know, the actual terrorists are nearly all free, whether or not they were sentenced to jail.
Al-Khiwani has highly appreciated the support of his colleagues, but urged all who have concerns about freedom of opinion to not abandon their legal struggle to get more freedom and break through all restrictions the authorities want to impose on press. He confirmed he would continue fight for his liberty and opinion.I think his sentencing is March 25.
