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The Internet In the Arab World
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Sudanese Reporter Prone To Receiving 40 Whips
An Opposition Sudanese Reporter Accused Of " Sensational Dressing Up" Facing Whipping In Public.
ANHRI calls on international organizations to support Lubna Ahmed Al-Hussein and requests of the Sudanese government to put an end to this charade.
11/7/2009
ANHRI expresses deepest concern about trying the opposition reporter Lubna Ahmed Al-Hussein accused of "sensational dressing up". The general discipline police authority considered Lubna's dressing style a threat to the Sudanese society values and virtues. This crime is subject to only one punishment; 40 whips in public according to article 152 of the Sudanese criminal law of 1991.
For years, Lubna has been writing her famous column in Sudanese papers "Men Talk" , in which she bitterly criticized government practices and bravely confronted fundamentalists.
Abeer Soliman, programs manager at ANHRI, commented that such accusations are a cheap way to undermine this brave reporter. Only oppressive governments would stoop so low . Soliman added that the Sudanese government should have been as brave as Lubna and declare resentment to her writings instead of this brutal vengeance that aims only to break a free pen.
The Sudanese general discipline law is one of the most discriminating laws against women as it violates basic freedoms to be enjoyed by all citizens. The law targets female students and working women as though it was tailored for persecuting ,humiliating and isolating women from contributing to public life. The conspiratory mentality of the Sudanese police has now arrived at pointing this law in the face of an opposition reporter.
AHNRI calls on all human rights NGOs interested in freedom of expression and women's rights to back up Lubna and make efforts to stop this charade trial that violates all international treaties defending freedom of expression and women's rights asserting that the Sudanese government persecutes antagonists in every possible way and would not refrain from using the worst laws and practices.
ANHRI praises Lubna's boldness , as she has printed invitation cards to her trial and sent them to all media and press bodies. In case of being convicted ,Lubna intends to send similar invitations for media to attend her public whipping.
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