YEMEN - Aug 26 - Yemeni Government Introduces Bill To Punish Critics Of President.

Critics of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh can receive up to 15 years in prison under a proposed law introduced by the government and sent to parliament on Aug 26. Under the draft law, "agitators" could also face a death penalty if their anti-government incitement causes deaths during protests. Yemeni newspapers said the draft law also imposes severe prison sentences on journalists, writers and rights advocates who "incite" anti-government activities including protests. These acts, according to the draft law, undermine national security and are harmful to social peace. Critics immediately blasted the law as a violation of freedom of expression. "The government is retreating from its promises to expand the freedoms and halt restrictive measures", said Sami Ghalib, head of the Freedoms Committee at the Yemeni Press Syndicate. Thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets in several cities around the country this month to protest government corruption and rising prices. The demonstrations, which were organised by a coalition of five opposition parties, drew a sharp rebuke from authorities, who said the gatherings did not serve development and stability. Saleh has said that the planned protests intended to "prepare the streets for disorder, tension and create bottlenecks which do not serve the economy, stability and security". Yemen, a poor tribal country at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula has been struggling with poverty. The central bank reported revenue of US$1.5 bn (1.1bn) in oil sales in the first four months of 2007 but most is believed to have been spent on armaments and security. Unemployment in Yemen is at 36.8%, according to government statistics.