Sudanese cabinet approves press law
March 19, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Council of Ministers today approved a new draft law of the press within the framework of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudan government led by the National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in January 2005.
The peace agreement calls for review or amendment of all the existing laws in the Sudan in order to make them compatible with the CPA’s provisions and those of the 2005 Interim National Constitution of Sudan. The national unity government races against time to review and enact more than 20 current national laws before holding general elections scheduled for this year.
The cabinet spokesperson, Omer Mohamed Saleh, told reporters after the government meeting that the council approved the draft of the new press law with other draft laws dealing with civil and criminal procedures filed by the minister of justice.
Saleh added that the Press and Publications Act guaranteed the freedom and independence of the press and includes strict regulations with regard to the prohibition and confiscation of newspapers.
Freedom of the press was guaranteed in Sudan in a 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war between the north and south, but journalists have repeatedly complained about print-run seizures and other harassment.
Since the indictment of the Sudanese President by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) last July, Sudanese security intensified press censorship. Last November Sudanese authorities arrested over 70 journalists who demonstrated outside the national parliament to protest against press censorship.
Saleh said the new bill guarantees personal protection for the journalist and defines requirements of licensing for the issuance of newspapers. The draft law also determines professional conditions for the exercise of journalism besides the rights and the immunity of journalists and the protection of journalistic sources of information.
The three draft laws should soon be tabled before the National Assembly for enactment into law.
Last week, a joint NCP-SPLM executive political committee reached an agreement over these laws. The meeting was chaired by the vice-president Ali Osman Taha and GOSS vice-president Riak Machar.
The two peace partners also have to finalize other outstanding laws like the national security act, and stipulations pertaining to the 2011 referendum.
(ST)
Gatwech
Sudanese cabinet approves press law
May God bless you, Dr. Riek Machar. Implement the CPA. Also, the SPLM should coordinate how to push for their passing in the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly. Where is Salva Kiir and why he did not attend the Council of Ministers meeting where the bills were being discussed and passed? Is he still fearing to do his business in Khartoum as First Vice President? How come he goes to Khartoum only on occasions where he appeases Omer el-Bashir? Common, Salva Kiir, don’t abandon your position as First Vice President. It is very important for the SPLM to make use of that important position. Have courage and do your work well, sir.