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Media & freedom of expression
Sudan: GOVERNMENT LIFTS CENSORSHIP
2001-12-06, Issue 45
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/4578
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On 28 November 2001, the government of Sudan lifted the previously enforced censorship from 12 of the country’s daily newspapers. Four newspapers; Alwan, AlRai Al Akher, Al-Watan and the Khartoum Monitor continue to be under heavy censorship.
S V T G
Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
PRESS RELEASE: 29 November 2001
GOVERNMENT LIFTS CENSORSHIP
SVTG can confirm that on 28 November 2001, the government of Sudan lifted the previously enforced censorship from 12 of the country’s daily newspapers. Four newspapers; Alwan, AlRai Al Akher, Al-Watan and the Khartoum Monitor continue to be under heavy censorship.
Information Minister Mahdi Ibrahim met with the editors-in-chief on 28 November and informed then that on the 27 November, President Omar al-Beshir had ordered the pre-printing censorship be lifted from 12 dailies as of the 28th, while the control remained in force on four others.
Al-Watan daily failed to appear for one day last week when the security authorities ordered an article be removed and its staff, including chief editor Sidahmed Khalifa, were detained then released on bail after several hours of detention for charges of disturbing public peace and staging an unlawful march.
The Khartoum Monitor and Al Rai Al Akher dailies have been closed down several times in the past for publishing articles, which the authorities did not like, and their journalists have been constantly harassed; The Monitor's executives are still on bail facing charges of instigating hatred against the state and inciting religious and ethnic hatred.
The chief editors of the twelve papers are appealing to the President via the Ministry of information, that the lift must include all newspapers.
SVTG calls upon the Sudanese government to:
i. Immediately extend the lift of censorship to the other four daily papers – Alwan, Al Rai Al Akher, Al Watan and the Khartoum Monitor.
ii. Guarantee freedom of expression and freedom of press and publication.
iii. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.
SVTG is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation, for further details on this press release or any other information please contact;
The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Rd
London NW6 5LF
UK
Tel: +44 20 76258055
Email: Osman.h@virgin.net