HRITC Launches Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Expression Project in Cooperation with MEPI and IREX

HRITC, Sana’a, 3 April 2007: HRITC Launched last week Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Expression project in Yemen .

The Program, implemented with International Exchange and Research Board, IREX cooperation, and Middle East Partnership Initiative MEPI’s funding, focuses in four primary activities; developing a draft alternative press law to conform with international standards, being one of the civil society priorities and one of major recommendations of Sana’a Conference for Democracy, Political Reforms and Freedom of Expression, 24, 25 June 2006, lobbying for acceptance of the draft press law, assist young lawyers with on the job training in defending journalists, and work jointly with Yemeni Journalists Syndicate and other local NGOs to form Freedom of Expression Committee that will monitor violations against journalists.

It is worth mentioning that recommendations to promote and protect freedom of expression and freedom of press have topped nearly all HRITC’s forums and seminars recommendations during the past year, thereby necessitated implementing of a project that tackles these issues.