Last Monday journalists were surprised that they were not allowed to enter the compound to cover the activities of the 36th session of Khartoum International Fair. According to Kushnews and Al Mijhar newspapers, gatekeepers harshly told journalists: “If you want to enter to cover the activities you go and buy tickets like other people”, forcing a number of journalists and media persons to leave, angry at the fair administration behavior.

The 36th session of the International Fair of Khartoum kicked off last Monday at the exhibitions ground in Burri neighbourhood in presence of the National Prime Minister Mr. Mutaz Musa, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sudanese Free Zones and Shops, besides the representative of the governor of Khartoum, Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr. Jaffar Abdalla, in addition to the participation of 14 countries, 500 local and international corporate and the European Union.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides for the freedom of opinion and expression. Article 39-1 of the constitution of Sudan also states: “Every citizen shall have an unrestricted right to the freedom of expression, reception and dissemination of information, publication, and access to the press without prejudice to order, safety or public morals”.

Source; Kushnews