FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN YEMEN

That this House notes with concern the conviction and sentencing to six years in prison of leading Yemeni journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani; commends the courage and resilience of journalists and activists who continue to tackle sensitive political and human rights issues despite the harassment and risks faced in what appears to be part of a wider clampdown on freedom of expression in Yemen; and calls on the UK Government to use its influence to press the Yemeni authorities to release Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, stop prosecuting journalists, activists and critics of the state for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and to release all prisoners arrested solely for the non-violent expression of their opinions.