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Sudan : A Verdict For Lubna Al Hussein In A Trial Of An Autocratic Militant Regime
Cairo on 7/9/2009
The Arabic Network for human rights information, ANHRI, stated that Khartoum Criminal Court has ruled today to convict Lubna Al Hussein of "sensational dressing up" . The court fined Lubna $250 or month sentence in case of not paying that which Lubna chose to do.
Lubna decided not to pay and go to prison as she insists she is not guilty and insists on carrying her fair war and mission against women oppression till the end.
Although the verdict did not mention any flogging as was expected, (Lubna was facing a 40 flog verdict) yet her refusal to pay is an assertion that she is not guilty.
Security forces arrested nearly 50 women protesters in front of the criminal court North Khartoum in a support demonstration during Lubn's trial. The women were harassed and beaten up by the police forces and were transferred in intensive guards to Kawamer North police station in Khartoum center.
The arrested women are mostly reporters, lawyers, women and human rights activists. They are all members of the initiative "NO for women oppression". The initiative targets spreading the awareness of women and the society regarding the general discipline law that perpetuates violation of human rights and women oppression. The initiative has also men reporters and human rights activists as members .
Among the women who were arrested : Ihsan Fakiry, Iqbal Abd Allah, Zeinab Badr al Din, Walaa Salah, Rasha Awad ,Hoda Shafiq, Rabah Al Sadek, Hadia Hasaballah, Azza, AlTijani AlTayeb, Najlaa sayed Ahmed Dor Aldin, Manahel Badr Aldin,
Noha AlNoqar, Amal Hussein , Amani Gaafar, Shadia Abd Al Monem, Sabah Adam, Rabiaa Hasan, Zeinab Alsawy, Ghada Mekki Mohamed. They were all accused of causing riots and being disruptive as per the article # 77 of the criminal law.
Reporters were not allowed to the court hall , while protesters clustered outside peacefully and shouted their mottos " Freedom ..Freedom for Luna AlHussein." The police stopped photographers from taking pictures among which were France press photographer. Then the police fired tear gas that covered the street completely before arresting the protesters.
Lubna Al Hussein trial is internationally monitored as she was facing 40 flogs for wearing trousers which were considered " indecent" . The trial was deferred on 4/8/2009. On the other hand , Lubna resigned from her job in the UN mission in Khartoum as she expressed her will to be tried as a Sudanese citizen.
ANHRI asserted that today was a trial of the Sudanese regime not of Lubna's. This trial necessitates canceling the article # 152 from the general discipline law which violates all international legislations and human rights accords and provides all means of oppressing and humiliating the Sudanese women .
ANHRI requests the Sudanese government to respect the right to demonstrate and not to stop demonstrations using violence.
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