Sudanese rights group condemns closure of Alwan daily
Security attacks on Alwan and the freedom of the press
May 15, 2008 — The Chief Intelligence and Security General Salah Abd-Allah suspended the Alwan journal today by a departmental decree sequestrating property of the publishing company of the paper, and charging editor-in-chief Hussain Khogali with accusations of publishing prohibited military classified information in the press under articles 6A (g) and 8B (d) of the National Security Act 1999 (amended 2004) before the State Security Court at Khartoum 2.
The Organization believes that the intelligence decree is a dangerous act against the freedom of the press and the right of journalists to impart information on public affairs to the public at large. The security enforceable acts constituted further gross violation of both national and international laws: the Intelligence and Security Department is not authorized by the Interim Constitution to suspend a paper, confiscate private property, or charge journalists with accusations related to journalist work.
Intelligence and Security Department should never pursue issuance of unconstitutional decrees or any enforcement of lawless acts that jeopardize constitutionally recognized norms ensuring the freedom and professional rights of the Press by law.
SHRO-Cairo condemns the intelligence and security attacks on the press.
We ask the general to withdraw immediately his faulty decree, which replaces with irrelevant security powers the established jurisdiction of the Judiciary to see into such allegation.