Sudan's journalists rally for press freedom in Khartoum

Sudan’s journalists rally for press freedom in Khartoum

26/06/2014 14:59

The Sudanese Journalists’ Network (SJN) organised a sit-in on Thursday, demanding the release of El Jareeda newspaper’s correspondent in West Kordofan, who was detained by security forces in En Nahud more than two weeks ago. At 12am today (Thursday), the journalists gathered in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum, protesting against the detention of their colleague, Hassan Ishag, and the suspension of El Sayha newspaper. SJN representative Abdel Rahman El Ajeb read the memorandum, to be handed to the press council, to a large audience of Sudanese and international reporters. The SJN strongly denounced the “fierce attacks on the press freedom in Sudan”, and called upon “all political and civil society forces to support the fair and justified demands of the press community”. Apart from the release of Hassan Ishag, and the return of El Sayha newspaper, the journalists demanded from the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) to respect the judiciary, and lodge complaints against newspapers or journalists through the National Council for Press and Publications. Hunger strikeIn a press statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Journalists’ Network expressed its deep concern about the journalist’s deteriorating health condition, and appealed to “human rights and press organisations all over the world to act for the release of Hassan Ishag”. “Ishag was tortured during his detention. We hold the national security apparatus responsible for his safety.” Together with other political detainees, Ishag embarked on a hunger strike last Thursday, demanding to be released or brought to justice. On 10 June, security forces in En Nahud took Ishag and five student activists into custody, “precautionary, under the emergency law”, they were told. Two of the students were detained when they were on their way to deliver a speech at the University of West Kordofan, condemning the arrest of Sudanese Congress Party head, Ibrahim El Sheikh, in En Nahud two days before. News photos above and below: Journalists protesting in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum (Radio Dabanga correspondent) Related:Call to release political detainees in Sudan (24 June 2014) En Nahud detainees in Sudan’s West Kordofan on hunger strike (19 June 2014) Police torture detained journalist in Sudan’s West Kordofan (13 June 2014) Protests against Sudanese Congress Party head’s detention (12 June 2014) Student members Sudanese Congress Party detained in West Kordofan (12 June 2014) Sudanese Congress Party members and journalist detained (11 June 2014)

The Sudanese Journalists’ Network (SJN) organised a sit-in on Thursday, demanding the release of El Jareeda newspaper’s correspondent in West Kordofan, who was detained by security forces in En Nahud more than two weeks ago.

At 12am today (Thursday), the journalists gathered in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum, protesting against the detention of their colleague, Hassan Ishag, and the suspension of El Sayha newspaper.

SJN representative Abdel Rahman El Ajeb read the memorandum, to be handed to the press council, to a large audience of Sudanese and international reporters. The SJN strongly denounced the “fierce attacks on the press freedom in Sudan”, and called upon “all political and civil society forces to support the fair and justified demands of the press community”.

Apart from the release of Hassan Ishag, and the return of El Sayha newspaper, the journalists demanded from the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) to respect the judiciary, and lodge complaints against newspapers or journalists through the National Council for Press and Publications.

Hunger strike

In a press statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Journalists’ Network expressed its deep concern about the journalist’s deteriorating health condition, and appealed to “human rights and press organisations all over the world to act for the release of Hassan Ishag”.

“Ishag was tortured during his detention. We hold the national security apparatus responsible for his safety.”

Together with other political detainees, Ishag embarked on a hunger strike last Thursday, demanding to be released or brought to justice.

On 10 June, security forces in En Nahud took Ishag and five student activists into custody, “precautionary, under the emergency law”, they were told. Two of the students were detained when they were on their way to deliver a speech at the University of West Kordofan, condemning the arrest of Sudanese Congress Party head, Ibrahim El Sheikh, in En Nahud two days before.

News photos above and below: Journalists protesting in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum (Radio Dabanga correspondent)