Gaoling of journalists condemned

The decision of the Sudan government to imprison two journalists for failure to pay fines has been condemned by international freedom of expression organisations, including the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) and the Canadian-based International Freedom of Expression (IFEX). The two journalists were imprisoned on 4 February for three months after failing to pay a fine of 15 million Sudanese pounds, some US $5,800, after being found guilty of libel. Amal Abbas, editor of the newspaper ‘Al-Rai Al-Akher’, and Ibrahim Hassan, a reporter, answered libel charges after writing an article in August 2000 alleging corruption in local government in Khartoum state.

A statement issued by IPI said the fines imposed on the two journalists, and one of some US $390,000 imposed on the newspaper, were “disproportionate to the alleged crime”. The fine against the newspaper was the highest fine ever imposed in Sudan against a publication, AP said. IPI said the decision to imprison the journalists violated freedom of expression rights. “Furthermore, the matter becomes more troubling considering the facts that the article that formed the basis of the charges concerned itself with a government institution... governments can use a number of channels, including the media, to respond to allegations made against them”, IPI said, on 5 February. The organisation has written to President Omar al-Beshir urging him to annul the sentences and use civil courts to settle cases of libel, slander and defamation.