Compared to neighboring countries* Yemen has made notable achievements regarding the most important element of democracy* freedom of speech or expression. Yemenis can criticize the government publicly* although media censorship exists.Hundreds of columnists and human right activists write negative things about the government* the ruling political party and the Yemeni cultural heritage. Despite this background* many young Yemenis are afraid to express themselves on many topics. They either don?t want to* or don?t dare to talk about it. ?Actually* I am socialist and want to talk about Marx and his ideas. If I talk about him* people around will criticize me. Really these things contradict completely with the principles of freedom of speech*? said Ashraf Al-Hakeme* an English literature graduate* from Sana?a University. Politics* sex* and religion are the triangle of taboos in many societies. But the reasons behind the silence on these topics are different from one person to another. Interviewing 15 middle-class students* between 20 and 25 years old at Sana'a University* revealed that they are afraid of talking about political issues* especially in public places. They are afraid they may expose themselves to a lot of troubles such as* torture or detention by the ?national security? Most of them believe strongly there is no freedom of speech in Yemen* even if the government pretends there is. ?If someone put himself at risk by talking about corruption or criticizing the government* the government will arrest him immediately and he will not find any body defending him especially if she or he is a normal person (has no powerful relatives)*? said Wadhah Alqabti. Iskander Almamari said that there are no applicable rules or laws protecting the freedom of expression in Yemen* and even if there are some laws and rules* they are just ink on papers.Some Sana'a University students also believe student unions are tools of political parties. They would prefer not to involve with the parties political conflicts* and be away from political issues in general. The majority of the students showed signs of awkwardness when it came to sex issues. They said* however* that in some situations* they have the liberty to talk about sex* especially when they are with their friends. All of them expressed their fear of sending incorrect signals to the opposite sex if they broached the topic. The students confessed that they were not brave enough to talk to each other about sex.?These matters do not go with the cultures and traditions* especially in Yemeni society*? Ashraf Almekhlafi commented. But if they don?t talk about sex* from where they get information? The media* friends and the internet were cited as the primary sources of information on sex and reproductive health* they answered simply. No one refers to reproductive health centers. Regarding the religions* most of the students were reserved and said they were not informed enough to speak about it. Some believed that a person needs a certain amount of religious training to be qualified to talk about it* and most said they felt their education did not meet the standard.?I am not cultivated adequately in order to talk about religion. I dislike committing sin by giving uniformed legal opinions. In religion* all people have limitations if they want to talk about it* so in religion there is not freedom of speech? Laula Al-Qobatee Your freedom and their freedom But though the hushed environment* the young Yemenis expressed their need and will to break the silence surrounding these topics.?Sex* politics and religion are our lives. Most of people say do not talk about such things. How come? What else remains for us?? said Najeeb Al-hemuree* of the psychology department at Sana?a University. Nevertheless* the government* family censorship* and the social and the cultural norms are not the only reasons behind the reticence at the young people to speak. Self-censorship was very obvious when they were talking about the meaning of freedom of expression. Concern over hurting others feelings dominated. ?Freedom of expression in my view is to utter whatever* whenever* and however you desire to express aside from from ordering* controlling or watching others? Shauma Swylah* of the English department said.She added* ?However* when we want to talk about the freedom of expressions. We should take into account that we have to care about other?s feeling. We have also to avoid completely hurting other?s feelings.?Swylah said that she believes that freedom of expression enhances creativity among youth and will help create and produce so many things. ?For instance* they will do so many activities which make them better in thinking and behaving and will be able to expose what is going on in their minds. Also they will be able to converse and communicate with others in order to express their new ideas* and how they look at things in their own ways. Certainly* all these issues make them feel they are free and no one can exercises control over them*? she said. ??I believe that freedom of expression is significant for youth* and it is one of the most important factors in increasing their abilities. You know* all creative acts need somehow excessive freedom of speech* if a person feels that he or she is free* he or she will take responsibility for their actions*? Mohammad Mawya ?Some youth are expressing some things wrongly under the name of freedom of expression* put differently* they offend under the pretext of it. I think such people must be educated in order to know the right definition of freedom of expressions* and they need to correct their ideas about freedom of expressions. Freedom does not mean to hurt others under any circumstances* freedom means respect and caring about other?s feelings* faiths* and traditions*? he said Mawya added ?Youth have to be aware of their responsibilities toward such concept. Since they believe in freedom of speech* they have to speak out in order that others will be able to hear them and their demands. If they want people to advocate for them* they have to represent the good aspects of freedom. the English student Jasmine Al-Selwi said: In sum* freedom of expression is important for the whole society in general and youth particularly because youth being the main category which society depends on. So* I hope that youth can use such privilege rightly*??Freedom of expression means that to say whatever you want without crossing other?s limitation and harming them. As we know that every thing has limitations in our lives* but when we start defining freedom of expression in the way we like*? she added ?Freedom of expression is also defined under the notion of Islam. As a Muslim* religion can guide you to whatever you want without crossing the limits*? she said ?Youth can help in spreading the freedom of expressions among so many people if they put religion in front of their eyes*? she added. ?In this way* Islam will guide them to the prefect and complete freedom of speech. Through Islam they can spread and present it among the people and in the world.??Freedom of expression are beautiful words. Even the tongue pronounces them beautifully and tenderly. It means to say whatever your mind tells you to say. But you have to be aware of others rights. Your freedom ends* when the freedom of others starts*? said Ahmed Sa?eed a French literature student.He added ?freedom of expression means to say or to criticize anything that goes wrongly* But you have to be able to provide the convincible causes for your censuring. Your critique should not contain any offensive expressions to anyone directly or indirectly. Your freedom of speech does not allow you to criticize the person himself* but it gives the freedom and absolute right to disapprove the ideas.?...

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