UN human rights expert meets Sudanese journalists
The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin, on Saturday met in Khartoum with representatives of the Sudanese Journalists’ Network to discuss the deterioration of press freedom in the country. Baderin is currently visiting Sudan for a follow-up on his previous recommendations. He will include the country’s press situation in his report to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in September. One of the members of the Sudanese Journalists’ Network told Radio Dabanga that they had informed the Independent Expert about the curtailing of the Sudanese press by the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS), the continuing monitoring procedures by the NISS, the detention and torture of journalists Hassan Ishag in En Nahud, and Ashraf Khojali in Khartoum, the recent suspension of several newspapers, and the banning of a number of columnists and journalists from writing. SetbackThe Sudanese press has been witnessing an “alarming setback” this year, despite President Al Bashir’s promises to restore the press freedom, when addressing a political roundtable in Khartoum on 6 April this year. On 19 May, the Federal Minister of Information warned the media not to cover items that “pose a danger to national security and the country as a whole”. “Any newspaper that crosses the red lines will be suspended”, the minister threatened. The EU released a statement on 28 May, in which it expressed “great concern about recent actions, specifically measures imposing renewed limits on freedom of the press, and the freedoms of expression, association, participation, assembly, and religion.” According to the 2014 World Press Freedom Index, monitored by Reporters Without Borders, Sudan rates within the bottom 10 of the 180 countries surveyed. File photo: Journalists protesting press curbs in front of the National Press and Publications’ Council in Khartoum, 1 June 2014 Related: UN expert to research Sudan’s ‘notable human rights issues’ (13 June 2014) Sudanese journalists protest press curbs (2 June 2014) Sudanese General warns of ‘decisive battle’ with media (28 May 2014) EU call on Sudan to lift press curbs (28 May 2014) Press ‘warned’ in Sudan (21 May 2014) Sudan’s press freedom worst for third year running (12 February 2014)
The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin, on Saturday met in Khartoum with representatives of the Sudanese Journalists’ Network to discuss the deterioration of press freedom in the country.
Baderin is currently visiting Sudan for a follow-up on his previous recommendations. He will include the country’s press situation in his report to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in September.
One of the members of the Sudanese Journalists’ Network told Radio Dabanga that they had informed the Independent Expert about the curtailing of the Sudanese press by the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS), the continuing monitoring procedures by the NISS, the detention and torture of journalists Hassan Ishag in En Nahud, and Ashraf Khojali in Khartoum, the recent suspension of several newspapers, and the banning of a number of columnists and journalists from writing.
Setback
The Sudanese press has been witnessing an “alarming setback” this year, despite President Al Bashir’s promises to restore the press freedom, when addressing a political roundtable in Khartoum on 6 April this year.
On 19 May, the Federal Minister of Information warned the media not to cover items that “pose a danger to national security and the country as a whole”. “Any newspaper that crosses the red lines will be suspended”, the minister threatened.
The EU released a statement on 28 May, in which it expressed “great concern about recent actions, specifically measures imposing renewed limits on freedom of the press, and the freedoms of expression, association, participation, assembly, and religion.”
According to the 2014 World Press Freedom Index, monitored by Reporters Without Borders, Sudan rates within the bottom 10 of the 180 countries surveyed.
File photo: Journalists protesting press curbs in front of the National Press and Publications’ Council in Khartoum, 1 June 2014
Related:
UN expert to research Sudan’s ‘notable human rights issues’ (13 June 2014)
Sudanese journalists protest press curbs (2 June 2014)
Sudanese General warns of ‘decisive battle’ with media (28 May 2014)
EU call on Sudan to lift press curbs (28 May 2014)
Press ‘warned’ in Sudan (21 May 2014)
Sudan’s press freedom worst for third year running (12 February 2014)
and then