SJN Opposes Newspaper Closure and Condemns Arrests

20 May 2010 - (Khartoum) – The Sudanese Journalists’ Network has condemned the closure of the Ray Al-Shaab newspaper and the arrest of journalists by the National Intelligence and Security Services, NISS.

A member of the network, Aiman Osman, spoke to SRS on Wednesday.

[Aiman Osman]: “We think that what Ray Al-Shaab and its journalists were subjected to was expected before the elections. The network has issued a statement condemning the arrests of journalists and the manner though which the newspaper’s property was confiscated. I think this is a very serious issue under a government that claims to be elected, while there is a judiciary and law that should deal with this kind of issue. If Ray Al-shaab committed a crime then the judiciary should have intervened. They are the ones who should rule against it. This is a violation of freedom of speech and a breach of the 2005 interim constitution and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”

Another member of the network, Ahmed Al-Sheikh, explains why the closure is a breach of the national interim constitution.

[Ahmed Al-Sheikh]: “We think the closure of the Ray Al-Shaab newspaper and the arrest of its journalists breaches Article 39 of the interim constitution which states that every citizen has the right to freedom of expression and access to newspapers and information unless they breach security or public morals. This is according to the law. The procedure to shut the newspaper down was not carried out according to the law. Because the media law of 2009 states that the only body authorized to shut down newspapers is the judiciary. Even so, the judiciary is only authorized after the second time, not the first one. But this event was an administrative one and it breaches the law.”

On Saturday, the National Intelligence and Security Services shut down the pro-opposition Popular Congress Party’s paper and arrested 3 of its journalists, accusing them of disseminating malicious information.