The Press and Publications Court sentenced journalist Yasir Mahmoud Al-Bashr to (1) month in jail in addition to the payment of (40,000.00) Sudanese pounds [1,421,00 US Dollars] as a fine.

This was in light of the complaint submitted by the National Congress Party in Kassala against the journalist who criticized the policies of the said party on social media.

Mr. Ashraf Abdelaziz, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Jareeda newspaper, described to Dabanga Radio that the verdict was not just.

On the same note, the Attorney General of the Eastern Sudan city: Kassala, issued an arrest warrant for journalist Mohamed Othman Babikir in accordance to the Information Law.

“I am worried that they will hold me in custody for a long time,” Babikir expressed his concerns to Dabanga Radio, and added that he might be moved from Kassala to Khartoum.

Furthermore, the new Press Law gives more authorities to the Council of Press and Publications including: forbidding journalists from writing as well as withdrawal of journalists’ licenses for the period deemed appropriate by the council.

Reporters without Borders organization issued a statement on the 14th of June, in which it condemned Sudanese security authorities’ seizure of (3) privately owned daily newspapers as well as the interrogation of (2) journalists for their coverage of sensitive issues.

The court procedures and other procedures mentioned above contradict Article (19) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states and establishes the freedom of speech and expression; the procedures also contradict Article (39(1)) of the Sudanese Constitution which states and establishes that each citizen is entitled to a non-restricted right of freedom of expression, receipt and publishing of information and publications in addition to reach to journalism and the press without prejudice to the system, security and public morality.

Source: Dabanga Sudan