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Sudan Tribune

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Rights group urges Sudan to drop charges in ‘trouser trial’

September 5, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Amnesty International on Friday urged the Sudanese government to withdraw the charges against a female journalist who risks 40 lashes for wearing trousers.

Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein, right, who faces 40 lashes on the charge of
Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein, right, who faces 40 lashes on the charge of
Lubna Ahmed Al-Hussein who had been arrested with other Sudanese girls by the Public Order Police earlier in July for wearing trousers, was charged by the Public Order Police POP of “indecent” clothing and is facing up to 40 lashes and a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds ($100).

The judge on August 4 adjourned the trial to September 7 so that the court can receive opinion of the Sudanese foreign ministry on the whether her resignation from the UN mission in Sudan automatically revokes her immunity at the date the incident happened.

Amnesty International said in a press release issued last Friday the law used to justify the flogging of women for wearing clothes deemed to be “indecent” should be repealed.

“The manner in which this law has been used against women is unacceptable, and the penalty called for by the law – up to 40 lashes – abhorrent,” said Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

Article 152 of the Sudanese Penal Code 1991 states, in summary, that: Whoever does in a public place an indecent act or wears an obscene outfit shall be punished with flogging which may not exceed forty lashes or with fine or with both, Amnesty said.

“The law is crafted in a way that makes it impossible to know what is decent or indecent,” said Tawanda Hondora. “In practice, women are routinely arrested, detained, tried and then, on conviction, flogged simply because a police officer disapproves of their clothing. The law is also discriminatory, in that it is used disproportionately against women.”

In 2003, the African Commission ordered Sudan to amend Article 152 on the grounds that flogging amounted to state-sanctioned torture, after eight women brought a case against the government when they were arrested for publicly picnicking with male friends.

The eight were flogged in public using a wire and plastic whip, which reportedly left permanent scars on the women. The government has made no moves to amend the law since the Commission’s decision.

“No one should be flogged. This is cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and flies in the face of international law and common standards of human decency,” said Tawanda Hondora.

Hussein’s case has triggered widespread outrage at home and abroad. She received the support of many political parties and civil society groups. Also, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “deeply concerned” about Hussein’s case and that flogging is a violation of international human rights standards.

(ST)

5 Comments

  • oshay
    oshay

    Rights group urges Sudan to drop charges in ‘trouser trial’
    I also agree, it’s an embarrassment even though i have no sympathy with this trash journalist.

    Reply
  • Dinka Boy
    Dinka Boy

    Rights group urges Sudan to drop charges in ‘trouser trial’
    I don,t believed that Sharia laws will works in Sudan. How can someone is denied of wearing pants and being lash 40 wiffs. This is one of the major problem if we united the country because majoerity of Southern Sudanese wear trousers.
    Human being have freedom of choice not being govern by Sharia laws.
    Thanks, i am happy for the realise of that female journalists, but i amd not happy for the lashes.
    Bashier is idiot because he is following Nimery sharia laws which one of the South-North war.

    Reply
  • BUSTA 2
    BUSTA 2

    Rights group urges Sudan to drop charges in ‘trouser trial’
    Yes but the question is why SPLM/SPLA were arresting women in South Sudan one month back those who were putting on trouses?

    Do we have Seria Law in South Sudan or we call it SPLM Law which stop women from putting on trouses.

    We need democracy in South Sudan otherwish those uneducated young boys of SPLM should shut up and enjoy EQs good climate.

    Brother in Christ,

    Busta 2

    Reply
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