Sudan MPs call for dialogue and ceasing press censorship

April 16, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese parliament speaker, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir, denied the existence of political prisoners in the country’s prison with the exception of more than half a dozen people arrested in connection with criminal cases.

“Sudan is not a country of jails…it is not our approach to humiliate our people”, al-Tahir said noting that the government has willingly released political prisoners without any pressures.

The speaker also underscored that the government treats people with leniency even during tense times.

Al-Tahir disclosed that he directed parliamentary committees to open channels of dialogue with all political forces including those who advocate toppling the regime.

Earlier this month, Bashir said that his government is committed to national dialogue with all groups, regardless of their political affiliations in order to resolve outstanding issues and pave the way for an agreement on the new constitution.

Late last month, Sudan’s 1st Vice President Ali Osman Taha made a call on rebels and opposition alike to renounce violence and agree to dialogue.

The speaker strongly condemned what he described as Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) irrational and unpatriotic behaviors saying that the latter tarnishes the government’s extended hands of peace in blood and meets benevolence with offense.

The members of Sudan’s parliament who deliberated on the parliament formal response to president Bashir’s speech, called upon the government to stop press censorship.

MP Abbas Al-Khidhir, mentioned that intervention by authorities in press in form of pre-printing censorship and closure of newspapers reflects a distorted image of Sudan in the international arena.

Sudan officially ceased direct press censorship in 2009 but continues to suspend and confiscate newspapers as a way of retaliation if they report on a long list of issues considered sensitive.

Newspapers also complain that they continue to receive phone instructions, usually via text messages from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), ordering them not to report on certain subjects.

Earlier this month, Sudan security forced Al-Sahafa newspaper editor-in-chief, Al-Nur Ahmed Al-Nur to resign, and detained Al-Jazeera T.V bureau chief.

Last year authorities suspended columnist Haidar Al-Makashfi who works for the same newspaper for 11 months and prohibited him from writing in any newspaper.

They also shut down three newspapers including the independent al-Tayar newspaper and two Islamist newspapers – Alwan and al-Rai al-Shaab.

(ST)