The Yemeni parliament voted on 23 March to implement a 30-day state of emergency, a move that grants significant extra powers to President 'Ali 'Abdullah Saleh's regime to continue its already brutal crackdown against anti-government protesters. The implications for journalists covering the demonstrations are unclear, and their ability to move around freely and safely cannot be guaranteed. In a letter to the President, WAN-IFRA urged free expression organisations to condemn the attacks on journalists and express their serious concern for the state of press freedom and free expression.