Document - Sudan: Three journalists sentenced, one acquitted: Further Information
Further information on UA: 119/10 Index: AFR 54/025/2010 Sudan Date: 19 July 2010
URGENT ACTION
Three journalists sentenced, one acquitted
Three male journalists from a Sudanese newspaper affiliated to an opposition party have been given prison sentences. The journalists are prisoners of conscience.
Abuzar Al Amin, the Deputy Editor in Chief of Rai Al Shaabnewspaper, was sentenced by a Sudanese court in Khartoum on 14 July to 5 years imprisonment for the charges of undermining the Constitution under article 50 of the 1991 Criminal Act, and of publishing false news under article 66 of the 1991 Criminal Act. Ashraf Abdelaziz, editor of Rai Al Shaaband Al Tahir Abu Jawhara, head of the political news desk, have been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment under article 26 of the Press and Publications Act and article 66 of the Crirminal Act. Ramadan Mahjoub, editor of Rai Al Shaabwas acquitted by the court which ordered his release from Kober prison and news of his release is expected shortly.
The National Intelligence and Security Services(NISS) has allegedly brought further charges against Abuzar Al Amin in relation to another article he wrote and in relation to an injury he caused to a NISS officer during his interrogation. He was expected to appear before the State Prosecution on 18 July for further investigations.
Abuzar Al Amin and Ashraf Abdelaziz were arrested on 15 May 2010 and Al Tahir Abu Jawhara was arrested on 16 May 2010 in relation to an article published in Rai Al Shaabnewspaper analysing amongst other the results of the April 2010 presidential elections in Sudan. Abuzar Al Amin and Al Tahir Abu Jawhara were reportedly tortured whilst in detention. The three journalists are prisoners of conscience, and they must be immediately released.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Arabic or your own language:
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Call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the Abuzar Al Amin, Ashraf Abdelaziz and Al Tahir Abu Jawhara who are detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression
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Call on the authorities to open an independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 30 AUGUST 2010 TO:
President of Sudan
Omar Al Bashir
Office of the President
People’s Palace
PO Box 281
Khartoum
Sudan
Fax: +249 183 774 339
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice
Mohamed Bushara Dousa
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 302
Khartoum
Sudan
Fax: +249 183 764 168
Salutation: Dear Minister
And copies to:
Rapporteur of the Advisory Council
Ahmed Idris Ali
Advisory Council on Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum
Sudan
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the third update of UA 119/10. Index: AFR 54/017/2010 Issue Date: 18 May 2010 Further information: www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR54/017/2010/en
URGENT ACTION
Three journalists sentenced, one acquitted
ADditional Information
Between 15 and 27 May, six staff members of Rai Al Shaab newspaper were arrested in Sudan’ capital, Khartoum. When staff arrived for work on 16 May, the Rai Al Shaab office was closed and guarded by National Intelligence and Security Services, (NISS) agents. The arrested staff are prisoners of conscience, held for expressing their beliefs without advocating violence. Abu Baker Al Sammani, the newspaper’s printer was reportedly released a few days after his arrest. Nagi Dahab, the newspaper’s administrator was released on 2 June.
The arrest of the Rai Al Shaab staff immediately followed the arrest of Hassan Al Turabi, leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party. Hassan Al Turabi, was released without charge on 30 June.
The closure of Rai Al Shaab was followed by a resurgence of censorship by NISS. This includes pre-print censorship, where NISS agents visit newspapers and remove articles considered sensitive or threatening to the state or where agents visit printing houses and prevent papers from going to print. The NISS also performs ‘remote control’ censorship, where NISS agents inform editors of banned subjects and expect them not to print articles on these issues. Several papers have been prevented from going to press as a result, including Al Midan, Ajras Al Hurriya and Al Intibaha.
Further information on UA: 119/10 Index: AFR 54/025/2010 Issue Date: 19 July 2010
