African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies ACJPS | المركز الافريقي لدراسات العدالة و السلام
(11 December 2018) Media freedom is increasingly challenged in Sudan in spite of the clear protection provided in the country’s Interim National Constitution of 2005. The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) have continued to censor information deemed to have crossed the red-lines and newspapers affiliated with the ruling party have not been spared from such censorship. The authorities have targeted media professionals including foreign correspondents as well as online bloggers with arrests or judicial summons based on their journalistic work. This briefing document the confiscation of Sudanese print newspapers and books; arrest and judicial harassment of media professionals, ban of a television show and online harassment.
ACJPS remains concerned about the continued detention without charge of Mr. Hisham Ali Mohamed Ali who was deported from Saudi Arabia and has been in NISS custody since 29 May 2018. ACJPS received reliable information that Mr. Hisham was interrogated by the office of the Prosecutor and did receive one family visit on 11 July 2018. Although no official reasons have been given, it is suspected that Mr. Hisham’s detention is related to his online activism. ACJPS urges the Sudanese Government to release Mr. Hisham from custody or present him before a court of law to allow him to challenge his detention. ACJPS further urges the Government of Sudan to grant Mr. Hisham prompt access to his family, his lawyer or legal representation and a medical doctor.
ACJPS is also concerned about the continued restrictions against Mr Ahmed Younes, a correspondent for Middle East newspaper. On 2 July 2018, Ahmed Younes, a correspondent for Middle East newspaper was banned from writing and his license was withdrawn. He was earlier interrogated by NISS on 5 of May 2018 about an article he published on the conflicts within the ruling party.
ACJPS urges the Sudanese authorities to respect and guarantee the right to freedom of expression as provided for in article 39 of the Interim National Constitution of 2005 and international and regional human rights treaties that Sudan is a state party to. ACJPS further urges the Government to ensure that this freedom is protected both online and off-line in accordance with the constitution and universally accepted standards. The Government should further instruct its law enforcement agencies to cease harassment and intimidation of individuals exercising their rights legitimately.
Confiscation of newspapers by NISS
On four occasions, the authorities confiscated printed copies of two Sudanese daily newspapers without providing any justification.
On 12 September 2018, NISS confiscated printed copies of Al Gareeda newspaper without rationale.
On 4 October 2018, NISS confiscated printed copies of Al Tyaar newspaper without rational.
On 8 and 23 October 2018, NISS confiscated printed copies of Al Gareeda newspaper without providing any justification.
Post-print censorship is routinely used by the NISS to intimidate editors from publishing on what are often referred to as ‘red line’ issues, which are issues that the authorities deem sensitive and seek to control in public debate. It is also thought to have the intended impact of causing editors to self-censor to avoid financial losses.
NISS prevents distribution of Al Watan newspaper.
On 31 October 2018, NISS prevented distribution of copies of Al Watan newspaper. A reliable source informed ACJPS that the reason for prevention of distribution was based on an article published by the newspaper about “fake” physicians from North Korea practicing in Sudan which would contradict a condition placed by the United States Government in October 2017 to lift the economic sanction against Sudan. According to this condition, Sudan is required not to have any relationship with North Korea. The information in the article was considered to be an embarrassment towards the Sudanese government as they had previously announced that there was no existing relationship with North Korea.
Denial of display and distribution of books at the Khartoum International book fair
On 26 October 2018, the literal classification affairs denied the printing and publishing houses from displaying and distributing 4 books at the 14th session of Khartoum International book fair. The book fair is an annual event where publishers and book retailers display books for promoting sales. Despite having received the list of books to be displayed prior the event, a reliable source informs ACJPS that the literal classification affairs only informed the printing and publishing houses about the denial of display and distribution of the 4 books on the day the event. The books denied distribution are;
- Their story is my story, authored by Nahid Mohamed Al Hassan, a human rights defender and physician and published by Rafiki publishing and distributing house. Permission for display of this book was granted on the second day of the fair.
- Two skulls turn the sun off, authored by Munjed Bakhaus.
- Sex and Sexuality, authored by Dr Fatima Abdalmahmoud.
- Homomuthwagia, authored by Ibab Adlan.
Press conference cancelled
On 29 November 2018, National Security of Khartoum cancelled a press conference organized by the advocates alliance. The press conference which was scheduled to take place at 2pm at Umaa party house located in Omdurman, was to address the new decree issued by the Sudanese judiciary which limits sale and purchase of cars and houses to be only by cheque. The National Security of Khartoum did not provide any reasons for cancelling the press conference.
Arbitrary Arrest by NISS and Police
On 15 October 2018, the NISS of Khartoum arrested seven media professionals from the front of the National Assembly building located in Omdurman. They were arrested during a peaceful protest against the decision of the media department of the parliament to deny journalist, Murtada Ahmed from entering the parliament building. At the time, the Minister of Finance was presenting on the current economic situation in Sudan. After their arrest, they were taken to the media department of the NISS office located in Amaraat neighborhood of Khartoum.
Those arrested include:
- Shawgi Gamar El dawla, a graphic designer with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Ibrahim Nasr Eldien, a cameraman with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Nizar Sid Ahmed, a journalist with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Murtada Ahmed, a journalist with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Abdurhamn Ah Agib, a journalist with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Ahmed Hamdan, a journalist with Al Akhbar newspaper
- Al Haj Almoz, a journalist with Alyoum newspaper. Mr Almoz had earlier been arrested on 31/1/2018 while he was covering the January protest against the increase in prices of commodities.
They were all released that same day.
On 1 September 2018, Sumia Mergani, a journalist working with Alwah newspaper was taken into custody by the police while she was covering a story of a group of people arrested on allegations of selling dog meat and were being detained at Al Riaad police station. She was charged with disturbing a public servant while on duty under Article 99 of the 1991 Sudanese Criminal Act. She was released on bail later the same day. The case is pending prosecution.
On 5 October 2018, NISS of Khartoum summoned Mr Osman Merghani, chief editor of Al Tyaar newspaper and Mr Ashraf Abdulaziz, chief editor of Al Gareeda newspaper to their offices and interrogated about a statement they presented at a meeting with the European Union(EU) delegation in Khartoum about the current status of freedom of expression and censorship by the authorities against newspapers in Sudan, the previous day. The two chief editors complained about the practice of media censorship carried out by the Sudanese authorities.
On 15 October 2018, the Office of the Prosecutor for State Security initiated a criminal suit against Mr. Merghani and Mr. Ashraf Abdulaziz as well as Ms. Lina Yagoub, chief editor of Baj News, Ms. Shmail El Nour, a journalist with Al Tyaar newspaper and Ms. Maha El Telib, a journalist with Al Tyaar newspaper and ordered them to report to the Prosecutor’s office on 25 October 2018. On 25 October 2018, they all reported to the Prosecutor’s office and were interrogated about the meeting with the EU delegation where a discussion on the status of media freedom in Sudan was held. During the interrogation, they were asked why they did not seek permission from the Sudanese authorities before the meeting. No charges were levied against them.
On 31 October 2018, the Office of the Prosecutor of Crimes against the State interrogated Mr. Khalid Abduaziz, a Sudanese Reuters correspondent; Mr. Shawgi Abdulazim, journalist with Sudania 24 Television; Mr. Abdulgadir Mohamed, a journalist; Mr. Bahran Abdulmonim, a journalist and Mr. Hussain Saad, a journalist about a meeting with the EU delegation where a discussion on the status of media freedom in Sudan was held.
On 12 November 2018, national security of Khartoum arrested Mr Omar Juma, a member of Darfur journalist committee from his home located in Al- Mohandisien neighborhood of Omdurman. He was released later the same day without any charges. No reasons were provided for his arrest.
On 27 November 2018, national security of Khartoum, summoned Mr Abdrahman Alaagib, a journalist with Alkhabar newspaper. Mr Alaabib had received a phone call, 3 days before from someone who identified himself as a national security officer requesting him to report to their office. He requested the caller to inform the Sudanese Journalist Association first before summoning him. The national security of Khartoum did not inform the Sudanese Journalist Association but Mr Alaagib reported to their office where he was interrogated. He was released on the same day but was asked to report again the next day. On 28 November 2018, Mr Alaabib reported to the office of the national security of Khartoum where he was again subjected to interrogation and released later that same day.
Banning of Television Shows
On 18 September 2018, Sudania 24 received threats from an unknown radical Islamic group after hosting a Russian Television Network that broadcasted a show about situation of women in Sudan. The show focused on marriage of minors as permitted by the Family law, female genital mutilation, harassment and Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Act that dictates a dress code for women. The guests on the show included: Ms. Atiaat Mustafa, the Director of the Social Development Fund; Mr. Mohamed Osam Salih, the Chairperson of the Sudanese Islamic Scholars; as well as members from the Civil Society Ms. Azaa Taj Elsir, Ms. Asil-Abdo-Asil and Ms. Weam Shawgi.
After the show, Sudania 24 reportedly received threats from unknown Islamic radical group and the police erected a checkpoint near their building to guard them. Further, Ms Weam Shawgi who spoke about equality of women and men on the show received threats on social media from both within and outside Sudan. The following day after the show, a group of people attempted to attack Ms Shawgi on the main street, whilst the Youth Association affiliated with the ruling National Congress Party announced a campaign called “Weam Shawgi Marriage” following her comments on marriage.
On 19 September 2018, Mr Eltahir Hassan Eltoum, the director of Sudania 24 TV was interrogated by NISS about the show.
On 10 October 2018, the NISS of Khartoum banned a TV show called Hal Albalad, presented by Mr Eltahir Hassan Eltoum and broadcasted on Sudania 24 TV. The show had previously hosted General Mohammed Hamdan Dalgo (Hemiti), a general commander in the Rapid Support Forces(RSF). During the show, General Hemiti had stated that the RSF had stopped guarding the border and preventing illegal migration into Sudan due to heavy expenses incurred. He also stated that most illegal immigrants who were arrested, were later released by the police and that 25% of the illegal immigrants were Sudanese. He added that the RSF were not engaged in dreading their hair as people believed and that Mr Ahmed Haroun, the Governor of North Kordofan, should go to jail given his indicted by the International Criminal Court and should stop accusing the RSF of committing crimes like he did in 2014.
The ban was lifted on 1 November 2018.
Harassment of chief editors and online bloggers
On 7 October 2018, the administrator of a Facebook page called “free Khartoum University” issued a statement that the name of page has changed to “Free Sudan”. The page monitors the students’ activities and human rights violations. According to a reliable source, the name was changed because the users had received threats from NISS. The University had also indicated that it did not want its name to be affiliated with the page.
On 11 November 2018, national water cooperation of Khartoum interrogated one of their employee, Ms Muna Abdulmonim accusing her of insulting their general manager on social media. Ms Muna, who is also an online blogger had posted a statement on Facebook questioning the benefit of the Chinese loan that was provided to support Subaa water station while the people of South Khartoum and Khartoum Bahari continue to suffer. ACJPS could not establish the outcome of the interrogation.
On 12 November 2018, national security of Khartoum distributed a 6-page form described as confidential to the chief editors of newspapers in Khartoum. The form required a passport photo and personal information about the chief editor’s family, tribe, wife’s phone number, political affiliation, a sketch map of house location and if they are involved in any activity that relate to the military or security. A reliable source informed ACJPs that the chief editors were not given any reasons as to why they had to fill the forms and send it back to the national security. Much as the national security has not yet taken any an undesirable action based on the information provided in the form, a reliable source informs ACPS that the chief editors anticipate that the information may be used with wrong motives to harass them.
Charity gala cancelled
On 2 November 2018, NISS cancelled charity gala scheduled at the National theatre of Omdurman. The gala was organized to support the people of Terba area in jable Marra in Dafur state who recently suffered from a mud slide. NISS did not give any reasons for cancelling the charity gala.
Background
The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) have continuously employed a number of tactics intended to censor information deemed to be critical of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) published in print and online media. Tactics utilized by the NISS include summoning journalists, preventing the distribution of printed copies of newspapers without rationale; imposing “red lines” on media through telephone communication to editors-in-chief; and blacklisting journalists from publishing their work in newspapers.
The Government of Sudan has relied on restrictive laws to control press freedom as well as online activity. In our recent report on freedom of expression in Sudan, we highlight some of the restrictions in the proposed amendments to the media and Publication law of 2009 passed by the Sudanese Ministers Council on 21 June 2018. Among others, the amendment grants the media and publication council more power to apply penalties; including the right to ban journalist from writing and temporary withdrawal of journalist’s licences.
Contact:
Mossaad Mohamed Ali, Executive Director, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies ACJPS. (English, Arabic, Swedish): +46764325862
