Six chief editors of Sudanese newspapers announced the confiscation by NISS agents of issues of their newspapers on Sunday 7 January because of critical coverage of bread price hike which surged further this week.

On Sunday security agents confiscated all print-runs of Al Tayar, Al Mustaqila, Al Qarra, Al Midan, Al Sayha and Akhbar Al Watan newspapers. The later is an opposition party newspaper, the rest are independent and often critical of the government.

Chief Editor of Akhbar Al Watan newspaper, Ms. Hanadi Al Siddiq, told Skynews she was not aware about the reasons for confiscation of her newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Sudanese Congress Party but she is of the view that the newspaper’s transparent coverage of the high prices of food items was the reason for the seizure. Chief Editors of other newspapers told AFP NISS agents confiscated Sunday’s issues and the move coincided with the opposition parties’ call for anti-price hike demonstrations.

While the newspapers have criticized the decision to increase price of wheat, the opposition parties have called for protests against rising prices. Bakeries over the past days refused the new prices due to a major surge in the prices of wheat flour after the government had stopped importing wheat, leaving the private sector to fill the gap.

The International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights which was ratified by Sudan, in its Article (19) provides that “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone have the right to freedom of expression, this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or though any other media of his choice”

Source:

Sky News Arabia