New journalist imprisoned for report on rape case, SJN denounces lack of press freedom
The Sudanese Journalists Network denounced the Sudanese Government’s measures against journalist Amal Habani, who was sentenced to one month of imprisonment. Ms Habani was condemned for her reports on Darfuri female activist Safiya Ishaq’s alleged rape by three members of the Sudanese Security Forces. Similarly to her colleague Fatma Elghazali, who was the first to face these charges, Ms. Habani was given the choice between paying a 2000 pounds (about 750 US$) fine or one month of detention. Activist Safiya Ishak accused the Sudanese Security Forces of raping her The Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) expressed its concerns about the use of the law by the security apparatus to restrain the freedom of expression and the work of journalists, intimidating them whether they report on Human Rights violations, or express their views on topics of general concern for the Sudanese society. The SJN added in a statement that these measures were against the provisional Constitution as well as international conventions, and calls for an amendment of the laws limiting speech freedom in the country, as well as the harmonization of the current transitional constitution with international conventions ratified by Sudan. According to the organization, the fact that 10 journalists are currently facing the same charges than Amal due to their report of Safiya Ishaq’s alleged rape is a convincing example of these maneuvers.The Khartoum Northern Court previously sentenced Saad Eldin Ibrahim, editor-in-chief of the El-Jareeda newspaper in which the information was published, to a 5000-pounds fine (about 1800 US$). Press Freedom issues are a regular topic in Sudan, where six newspapers recently lost their license as a consequence of the secession with the southern part of the country. Furthermore, the nation counts several cases of detained and convicted journalists.
The Sudanese Journalists Network denounced the Sudanese Government’s measures against journalist Amal Habani, who was sentenced to one month of imprisonment. Ms Habani was condemned for her reports on Darfuri female activist Safiya Ishaq’s alleged rape by three members of the Sudanese Security Forces. Similarly to her colleague Fatma Elghazali, who was the first to face these charges, Ms. Habani was given the choice between paying a 2000 pounds (about 750 US$) fine or one month of detention.
Activist Safiya Ishak accused the Sudanese Security Forces of raping her
The Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) expressed its concerns about the use of the law by the security apparatus to restrain the freedom of expression and the work of journalists, intimidating them whether they report on Human Rights violations, or express their views on topics of general concern for the Sudanese society. The SJN added in a statement that these measures were against the provisional Constitution as well as international conventions, and calls for an amendment of the laws limiting speech freedom in the country, as well as the harmonization of the current transitional constitution with international conventions ratified by Sudan. According to the organization, the fact that 10 journalists are currently facing the same charges than Amal due to their report of Safiya Ishaq’s alleged rape is a convincing example of these maneuvers.
The Khartoum Northern Court previously sentenced Saad Eldin Ibrahim, editor-in-chief of the El-Jareeda newspaper in which the information was published, to a 5000-pounds fine (about 1800 US$). Press Freedom issues are a regular topic in Sudan, where six newspapers recently lost their license as a consequence of the secession with the southern part of the country. Furthermore, the nation counts several cases of detained and convicted journalists.
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