PDF -Sudan Charges Journalists with Defamation
SHRN is gravely concerned about the way Sudanese authorities are harassing and prosecuting journalists in Sudan in an attempt to silence them and stop the exposure of human rights violations by the security organs. The recent trials and prosecutions initiated against a number of prominent journalists and civil rights activists in Khartoum aimed at dissuading the media from covering crimes committed by security forces as well as sending messages to survival of sexual violence that not only they, but also those who may seek to support them may be victimized by the Sudanese authorities.
According to SHRN a number of journalists and civil rights activists have received court summons due to complaints brought by the security forces. They were charged with defamation on the ground of their demands to an investigation of alleged three plain clothes security men rape case of a female activist Safia Is’hag.
Among those journalists were: Fisal Mohammed Salih of “Al-Akhbar” daily newspaper, Omar El-Garri who writes for the independent “Ajras al-Hurriya” newspaper, Amal Habbani and Fatima Ghazali who both work for “Al-Jareeda” newspaper, Saad Eldeen Ibrahim Editor of “Al-Jareeda” and trade unionist and activist Dr.Nahid Mohammed Elhassan. Amal Habbani was later sacked by “Al-Jareeda” newspaper fearing retribution from the security services. The journalist alleged crime is writing or contributing to articles condemning the arrest, torture and rape of activist Safia Is’hag by members of the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS). They are liable to be prosecuted under the 1991 Criminal procedure and 1999 Press Act on charges of defamation and spreading false information about the security forces, which is protected by the National Security Act. The Act gives impunity to members of the security services from prosecution for all crimes committed in the course of their work.
Amal Habani and Saad Eldeen Ibrahim Ibrahim were summoned to appear on 16 June, when judge Modather Al-Rasheed, after hearing evidence from NISS representatives and their lawyers, decided to prosecute them under article 66 of the Criminal Code (concerning false information), article 24 of the Press Act (on the duties and obligations of journalists) and article 26 of the Press Act (on the duties of editors). The next hearing will be on 30 June. Fatima Ghazali was due to appear in court June 19. Omar ElGarri is due to appear on June 21, 2011, while Fisal M.Salih is due to appear on June 28, 2011.
SHRN calls on the Sudanese authorities to drop all criminal charges and stop intimidation and harassment against the journalists, who reported the alleged gang-rape and torture of Safia Is’hag by plain clothes security men after her participation in a demonstration in January, 2011. SHRN urge the Sudanese authorities to immediately end the censorship of the media, abuse and harassment of journalists by the NISS and to uphold the freedom of expression enshrined in its own constitution.
SHRN reiterates its solidarity with the journalist and human rights activists and that nothing should be allowed to prevent the media from covering human rights violations in Sudan, which continue to be extremely worrying. SHRN will continue to monitor the unfair trial proceedings, in the absence of independent judicial system in Sudan, and will keep all human rights organizations, and international community abreast of future development.
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