Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is a Yemeni Journalist who is facing a death sentence for his love of democracy while the bombers of the USS Cole go free. Viva la Yeman! Read more and see photos below.

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is a respected Yemeni Journalist who has been tried and is awaiting sentencing in Yeman. He was charged and found guilty of insulting the president and demoralizing the military. He is facing a probable death sentence.

Armies of Liberation has the details.

Al-Khaiwani was badly beaten during his arrest in June 2007. His daughter, six year old Ebba, was slapped by police so hard that she fell unconscious. After Al-Khaiwani’s arrest and release on bail, he was kidnapped and badly beaten again. The US State Department issued a statement from DC noting his abduction pointed to, disturbing trend of intimidation and harassment of Yemen’s journalist community.

Al-Khaiwani was charged on July 4 with aiding the rebel movement by publishing war news. As you may know, the war in Sa’ada has been called a state sponsored genocide with strong parallels to the Sudan. I published photos of the damage in Sa’ada caused by indiscriminate (or deliberate) government bombing. I interviewed rebel spokesman Yahya al-Houthi, and posted it. (This website is now banned in Yemen.) By the standard of ‘demoralizing the military’, I’d also be subject to the death penalty if I was in Yemen. So would half of the bloggers here in the US.

It is embarrassing that these human rights abuses go on in the world while our little wee activists think they are being brave by stomping on flags or preaching hate to like-minded parishioners from a pulpit. It is embarrassing because the people who protest against the government of the United States would never have the courage to do anything near as brave as Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani who is protesting a government that does not allow it.

Then there is Yemeni. The thugs who bombed the USS Cole during the Clinton administration (pre-9/11) have been released from prison. Yet, they may very well put al-Khaiwani to death for insulting their president.

You can help. Pressure from on-line journalists can help. Armies of Liberation has the links to a petition that you can sign right now to help save al-Khaiwani’s life. I hope you’ll take a moment. It means a life. It is something you can do to actually help save a life and further the cause of democracy in a region that is torn apart with theocracies of the worst sort.

Nicki at The Birthplace of the Process of Illogical Logic is keeping track of the posts on the subject. Let her know if you write about this so you can be included. The more that is written, the more difficult it is for the Yemeni government to put Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani to death.

Sign the petition.

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani - Photos