Sudanese court rejects application protesting suspension of Islamist Party

KHARTOUM, April 13, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — Sudanese constitutional court has rejected an application by the lawyers’ defence council for the Islamist opposition Popular National Congress (PNC).

The party’s defense council, headed by Ali Mahmood Hassanain, said the suspension would deprive a large number of citizens of their constitutional rights, including their right to take part in political activities.

The council had applied for non-implementation of the decision taken by the registrar of societies and political parties to suspend the PNC.

The constitutional court said in rejecting the application that the investigations were still going on.

The court said the constitutional protest against the decision taken by the registrar of political parties will be conveyed to the other party in the case, after which the court will take an appropriate action.

The Popular Congress was suspended by the Registrar of Political Parties and Organizations on Thursday April 1, based on a law that prevents political parties from involvement in any use of force or violence.

Turabi’s party has denied any involvement in the alleged coup attempt. The party said the plot involved members of the security forces in the western province of Darfur, where local tribes have been in revolt since early 2003.