Let Freedom Ring - Even In Yemen.

Can you help?

My Cotillion sister, Jane Novak, blogs passionately about the corruption of the Yemeni government at her blog, the Armies of Liberation. She is also a contributor at the Jawa Report. As we all know, the government of Yemen has little or no regard for human rights, democratic principles, and freedom for their people. They actively suppress journalists who seek to uncover and promote truth.

Her recent post on Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is compelling and calls us all to action. He’s a prominent pro-democracy journalist in Yemen who is facing a long jail sentence for simply printing the truth and speaking his mind.

Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen’s most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. He is now due to be sentenced on May 21 for “insulting the president” and “demoralizing the military.”

During his arrest in June of 2007, al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen’s president.

As al-Khaiwani’s sentencing approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen’s already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani’s supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.

It is clear that al-Khaiwani stands on principle for free speech. This approaching verdict is also prompting fears of a complete and brutal retaliation against free speech across the journalistic community in Yemen.

We in America cherish our freedom of speech. We also have a long and noble history of helping others who would be free. You can help Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani by going here and simply signing a letter. It’s pre-filled, and you can opt-in for updates if you want, as well as choose to hide your information on the ’signed’ listings.

There is a growing list of bloggers across the ‘sphere who are blogging about the plight of al-Khaiwani. Click my Cotillion sister, Nicki’s blog to see the list or to add your own post link on his plight.

Thanks for helping freedom ring in Yemen and blessings to you.

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Kate Stokes is our newest guest blogger. We’ve been fans of Kate’s writing, her blog, and her point of view for a while now, and we’re pretty happy to be introducing her to our readers. Check out more of her writing at blatherings.blog.com And remember to subscribe to her rss feed while you’re at it.