Sudan: Media Restrictions in September,
October and November 2018; Hisham enters his seventh month in detention without
charge.
(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was banned from writing and his license was withdrawn.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