Sudan

Libérée le 8 septembre contre son gré, la journaliste soudanaise de 34 ans n’aura passé qu’une nuit en détention.
Flogging sentence dropped in trial of Lubna Hussein. However, the guilty verdict has not been overturned and rather than pay a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds Hussein has chosen to go to jail in protest at the guilty verdict.
According to reports, the Sudanese Journalists Union paid the fine at the behest of the Sudanese government.
Lubna Hussein had been released after a day in prison after the government backed Journalists Union paid her fine. They did so without her consent. It is believed the government hopes that by closing this case, the pressure to repeal the discriminatory laws with die down. The sentence of flogging was dropped in the case of Lubna Hussein who was charged under article 152 (Indecent and Immoral Acts) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code for wearing trousers in a public place. However, the guilty verdict has not been overturned and she had to choose between paying a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds or facing one month in jail. On Monday evening, Lubna Hussein was taken to jail to begin her sentence. Ms. Hussein did not want to lend any legitimacy to the verdict by paying the fine, and had intended to appeal the guilty verdict in both the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Lubna Hussein had previously pointed out that this charge falls under ‘immoral’ or ‘indecent behaviour’, a charge which will remain on her record and that of the other women arrested. Although she she will not be flogged, this offence on her record is associated with prostitution and other 'immoral' behaviour.
According to reports from a WLUML networker, several women's rights activists have been physically violated outside the Khartoum Court and during their transportation to a police station.
All 52 women's rights activists physically violated and arrested outside the Khartoum courtroom where the trial of Lubna Hussein for 'indecent' clothing was taking place, have been released and are safe.
The following is the text of a report submitted to the Commission on the Status of Women on the trial of Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein who was charged under Article 152 (Indecent and Immoral Acts) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code for wearing trousers.
On 10 July 2009, 13 women were arrested in Khartoum, Sudan and charged with violating the public dress code by wearing trousers. Ten have already been flogged and one of whom, journalist Lubna Ahmed Hussein, has rescinded legal immunity.
"Many Tunisians are voicing concerns that Sudan's prosecution of journalist Lubna Ahmed Hussein for wearing trousers could mark a shift away from women's rights and towards religious extremism in the Maghreb."
The trial of Sudanese former journalist Lubna Hussein, who faces 40 lashes after being arrested a month ago for wearing trousers, has been postponed, again, until 7 September.
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