Media network urges release of Sudanese journalist
The Arab Network for Media Crisis denounced the detention of journalist Hassan Ishag by the Sudanese authorities in West Kordofan, as it is deeply concerned about the “brutal torture” against him in prison. The network demanded Ishag’s release in a press release on Thursday. “He did not commit any crime and should not be detained.” It stressed the authorities’ responsibility for his safety and health, which is deteriorating as he is on a hunger strike since 19 June, in protest of his arrest. “His detention is a violation of human rights and contradicts articles in Sudan’s constitution.” The network further demanded a fair investigation into the alleged torture of Ishag by police forces. “The regime talks about press freedoms as a prelude to the comprehensive National Dialogue, meant to reach solutions for Sudan’s crises with all the political parties. But in reality, the freedom is denied, and that confirms the regime’s lack of seriousness,” the Arab Network for Media Crisis concluded its statement. Journalists protest for Ishag’s release Ishag, 31 years old, was arrested on 10 June in En Nahud, after the publication of his interview with opposition party leader Ibrahim El Sheikh. He has now been transferred to El Obeid prison in North Kordofan, according to a spokesman for the Sudanese Congress Party which El Sheikh is the leader of. The party leader had publicly accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing atrocities against civilians in Darfur and South Kordofan. He was detained in En Nahud on 8 June. The SJN organised a sit-in before the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum at the end of last week, protesting the harassments against Sudanese journalists. The demonstrators handed a memorandum to the council, demanding the release of detained journalist Hassan Ishag. Sudan is classified among the countries which violate press freedom the most, according to the Reporters without Borders’ global press freedom index this year. It was ranked 172 out of the total 180 states. Photo: Poster calling for the release of the political detainees and journalist Hassan Ishag (Change Now) Related: En Nahud detainees transferred, newspapers seized in Sudan (1 July 2014) Sudan’s journalists rally for press freedom in Khartoum (26 June 2014)
The Arab Network for Media Crisis denounced the detention of journalist Hassan Ishag by the Sudanese authorities in West Kordofan, as it is deeply concerned about the “brutal torture” against him in prison.
The network demanded Ishag’s release in a press release on Thursday. “He did not commit any crime and should not be detained.” It stressed the authorities’ responsibility for his safety and health, which is deteriorating as he is on a hunger strike since 19 June, in protest of his arrest.
“His detention is a violation of human rights and contradicts articles in Sudan’s constitution.” The network further demanded a fair investigation into the alleged torture of Ishag by police forces.
“The regime talks about press freedoms as a prelude to the comprehensive National Dialogue, meant to reach solutions for Sudan’s crises with all the political parties. But in reality, the freedom is denied, and that confirms the regime’s lack of seriousness,” the Arab Network for Media Crisis concluded its statement.
Journalists protest for Ishag’s release
Ishag, 31 years old, was arrested on 10 June in En Nahud, after the publication of his interview with opposition party leader Ibrahim El Sheikh. He has now been transferred to El Obeid prison in North Kordofan, according to a spokesman for the Sudanese Congress Party which El Sheikh is the leader of. The party leader had publicly accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing atrocities against civilians in Darfur and South Kordofan. He was detained in En Nahud on 8 June.
The SJN organised a sit-in before the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum at the end of last week, protesting the harassments against Sudanese journalists. The demonstrators handed a memorandum to the council, demanding the release of detained journalist Hassan Ishag.
Sudan is classified among the countries which violate press freedom the most, according to the Reporters without Borders’ global press freedom index this year. It was ranked 172 out of the total 180 states.
Photo: Poster calling for the release of the political detainees and journalist Hassan Ishag (Change Now)
Related:
En Nahud detainees transferred, newspapers seized in Sudan (1 July 2014)
Sudan’s journalists rally for press freedom in Khartoum (26 June 2014)
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