Journalists arrested in Sudan crackdown
Sudan
security forces have arrested scores of people, including several
journalists, in a brutal crackdown on protests that began on 16 June in
response to government austerity measures and price increases.
Police are alleged to have used excessive force in breaking up protests, beating demonstrators, using tear gas and rubber bullets and even live ammunition.
Though the protests were sparked by economic grievances, protesters have since called for an end to the current government led by the president, Omar al-Bashir.
The demonstrators are also opposed to Sudan's wars in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
Local and international journalists have been arrested while trying to report on the protests. Simon Martelli, an Agence France Presse correspondent, was detained for 14 hours in Khartoum. After Salma al-Wardany, an Egyptian journalist for Bloomberg, was detained she was ordered to be deported after it was alleged that she had links to activists.
Nagla Sid Ahmed, a well-known citizen journalist was summoned to the offices of the security services for questioning for several days in succession in order to prevent her from covering the protests. Other Sudanese journalists have also been detained.
Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said the media must be allowed to work freely. He said: "The authorities should end the violence immediately and respect the right of the people to protest peacefully.
"Arresting all suspected opponents to stifle dissent is abusive and illegal."
Source: Human Rights Watch
Police are alleged to have used excessive force in breaking up protests, beating demonstrators, using tear gas and rubber bullets and even live ammunition.
Though the protests were sparked by economic grievances, protesters have since called for an end to the current government led by the president, Omar al-Bashir.
The demonstrators are also opposed to Sudan's wars in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
Local and international journalists have been arrested while trying to report on the protests. Simon Martelli, an Agence France Presse correspondent, was detained for 14 hours in Khartoum. After Salma al-Wardany, an Egyptian journalist for Bloomberg, was detained she was ordered to be deported after it was alleged that she had links to activists.
Nagla Sid Ahmed, a well-known citizen journalist was summoned to the offices of the security services for questioning for several days in succession in order to prevent her from covering the protests. Other Sudanese journalists have also been detained.
Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said the media must be allowed to work freely. He said: "The authorities should end the violence immediately and respect the right of the people to protest peacefully.
"Arresting all suspected opponents to stifle dissent is abusive and illegal."
Source: Human Rights Watch
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