S V T G
Sudanese Victims of Torture Group

PRESS RELEASE: 22 November 2001

ARREST OF JOURNALISTS

On Tuesday 20 November, 22 journalists from the independent Sudanese newspaper Al-Watan were arrested for protesting about a ban on their publication of an article concerning corruption.

Security officials raided the offices on the evening of Monday 19th in efforts to prevent them from publishing an article about the seizure of more than 2 billion Sudanese pounds (over 800,000 US dollars) worth of expired medicines and the arrest of a number of merchants that day. The medicine had passed its use date but was continuing to be sold in Omdurman.

On Tuesday afternoon, the newspaper held a press conference after which about 50 Al-Watan journalists marched peacefully through the streets with their mouths wrapped with pieces of cloth to show they had been censored. Riot police stopped them on their return and rounded up 22 protestors. Security officials also confiscated a video film from the MBC correspondent.
The journalists were taken to the Security of the Community’s Police building where they were forced to stand in the sun with hand above their heads against a wall for long hours. The 3 women were separated from their colleagues. They were forced to sit in one chair for long hours.

Those arrested were:
1. Sidahmed alkhalifa
2. Ahmed Alhabou
3. Mohmaed AlNa’iam
4. AlFatih Mieka
5. Ms. Majdoleen Mohamed
6. Yahya Mahir
7. Salah Almalieh
8. Mustafa Abu Alazayim
9. Ms. Ragya Hassan
10. Ms. Sumaya Handosa
11. Isam Abass
12. Mustafa Mohmed Hassab Alla
13. Abd Algaleel Khalifa
14. Mohamed abdalla Khalifa
15. Mohamed Abdalla alshiekh
16. Mujahid Abdalla
17. Mustafa Ahmed Ali
18. Alghali Salih
19. Waleed
20. Mubarak Jaboor
21. Bakri Suliman
22. Nasir salah Aldin

All the journalists were charged under Article 51(Waging War Against the State) and Article 67 (offences relating to Public Tranquillity and Rioting) and Article 69 (Disturbance of Public Peace). They were released on bail at 9.30am on Wednesday 21 November 2001.

SVTG believes these arrests are part of the governments continuing objection to any publication of articles relating to corruption. These actions represent a continued repression of freedom of expression and are aimed at spreading fear and preventing journalists and newspapers from writing and publishing freely.

Press freedom in Sudan continues to be severely curtailed. Preventative censorship takes place on a daily basis and journalists are regularly harassed regarding their work and activities. Such harassment is in violation of Sudan’s international human rights commitments; SVTG recalls that Sudan is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which obliges state parties to protect freedom of expression.

SVTG calls upon individual governments and the International Community to exert pressure on the Government of Sudan to;

1. To immediately put an end to the harassment of Sudanese journalists by security forces.

2. Abolish all legislation that violates Sudan’s obligations under international human rights laws.

Addresses
His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD- Fax: +249 11 771 7 24

Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan. Telex:22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – Fax: +249 11 7740 63

Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD – Fax: 249 11 7740 63

SVTG is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation, for further details on this press release or any other information please contact;
The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Rd
London NW6 5LF
UK
Tel: +44 20 76258055
Email: [email protected]