Court appeal on Sudan NGO banning adjourned

March 6, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese civil society group has had its appeal hearing challenging its banning last year adjourned until later this month.

The Al-Khatim Adlan Center for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE) was shut down in December 2012 after officials from Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) accused the NGO of participating in unlawful activities.

The hearing had been due to take place at Khartoum’s Administrative Court of Objections on Wednesday, but was adjourned until 18 March.

The delay follows another hearing on 23 February which was also rescheduled.

KACE director Albaqir Mukhtar said Wednesday’s proceedings came to an abrupt halt shortly after the hearing began when the judge was called away to attend an urgent meeting.

The judge suggested taking a court recess until the meeting’s conclusion, but KACE’s lawyers elected for an adjournment instead.

HAC officials did not attend the hearing, although the judge indicated earlier that he was willing to proceed with the case before being called away for the meeting.

KACE was established in Sudan in 2007 and had worked to promote peace and democracy in the country, opening an office in Kampala, Uganda in 2010.

Its licence was revoked after it was accused of receiving funds from abroad without prior approval from the minister of humanitarian affairs.

An earlier appeal was denied in July last year.

(ST)