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Sudan - Young Woman
Risks 20 Lashes for ‘Indecent Dressing’ + Fine – UN Experts Urge Sudan to
Overturn “Outrageous Conviction”
GENEVA (28
August 2015) – A group of United Nations human rights experts** expressed alarm
after a female Sudanese student, Ferdous Al Toum, was sentenced to public
flogging and a heavy fine for charges of ‘indecent dressing’. Another student,
Rehab Omer, received a hefty fine for the same charges. “Public flogging of
women is a continuing practice in the country, and the offence of modesty and
the penalty of flogging are disproportionately used to punish women,” they
noted.
“This
outrageous conviction must be overturned and the girls must be immediately
released,” the UN experts urged. “We also call upon the Government of Sudan to
repeal all legislation that discriminates on the grounds of gender and to
comply with international standards.”
The human
rights experts have officially expressed concern to the Sudanese authorities
about current legislation that allows corporal punishment of women, and the
devastating consequences that such violence has on their physical and
psychological integrity and well-being.
“There is
a pressing need to address the pattern of discrimination, abuse and torture as
well as the oppression and denigration of women in the country,” they said. “We
urge the Government of Sudan to put an end to these grave violations of women’s
human rights.”
The
cases:
On 25 June 2015, the Public Order Police
arrested twelve female students between 17 and 23 years old, originally from
the war-torn Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan State. They were taken by Police
in front of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Khartoum North, where they had
attended a ceremony, and were brought to a local police station in Khartoum
North. At the time of their arrest, some were wearing trousers and others
skirts. It was reported that the Police subjected the students to degrading
treatment and humiliating verbal abuse during their detention.
Two of the
students were released about four hours after their arrest. The ten
others were released on bail on 27 June 2015 but charged with “indecent
dressing” under Article 152 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act which gives the Police
extensive powers to arrest any person under that ground. The punishment, if
they were to be found guilty, would be 40 lashes, or a fine, or both. In
practice the law has been reported to be used exclusively against women.
These 10
women were taken to court on 28 June 2015 where the charges against them were
confirmed and court dates set. One student, Fardos Al Toum, 19, appeared in
court on 6 July 2015, wearing another dress deemed indecent by the judge who,
disregarding any due process, immediately sentenced her to a fine of 500
Sudanese pounds ($83) or a month in prison. Her fine was paid by human rights
defenders and she will appear in court again in relation to the original
charge.
While
cases against eight of the ten female Christian students charged with ‘indecent
dressing’ under Article 152 of the 1991 Penal Code of Sudan have concluded with
either a not guilty verdict or a fine being imposed, other two girls have been
sentenced to flogging and/or heavy fines.
On 16
August, Ferdous Al Toum was sentenced to be flogged 20 lashes and a fine of 500
Sudanese pounds (SDG). On 14 July Rehab Omer Kakoum was sentenced to a fine of
500 SDG. Both girls have filed appeals, but no date has yet been given for the
appeal trials.
Three
other girls were convicted on 12 August and sentenced to pay a fine of 50
Sudanese pounds (SDG) each. The other five were declared innocent and set free
on 12 and 16 August.
The
experts expressed serious concerns at the physical and psychological integrity
of Ferdous Al Toum and Rehab Omer, with regard to the alleged sentence of
flogging and heavy fines.
(**)
The experts:
Ms. Eleonora Zielinska, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group
on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; Ms. Dubravka
Simonovic, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences; Mr. Aristide Nononsi, UN Independent Expert on the
situation of human rights in the Sudan; and Mr. Juan E. Méndez, UN Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2015 8:39 PM
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Subject: Sudan - Christian Women Students Charged for
"Indecent" Dressing - Risk Flogging - Verdicts Pending
WUNRN
LATEST UPDATE: http://morningstarnews.org/2015/07/two-young-christian-women-in-sudan-fined-for-indecent-dress/
SUDAN - 2 YOUNG CHRISTIAN WOMEN FINED FOR “INDECENT
DRESS”- REMAINING 8 RELEASED ON BAIL STILL CHARGED, AWAIT VERDICT
July 21, 2015 - By Sudan Correspondent
Arrested Sudan Student-Ferdoos Eltoum, Age 19 – Photo: Morning
Star News
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amnesty International Article:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr54/2046/2015/en/ - Article Available in Arabic, French, Spanish, & English
Sudan Women Students Risk Flogging for “Indecent”
Clothing
9 July 2015 - The Public Order Police have charged 10 female Christian students with "indecent dress” and
subjected them to verbal abuse during their detention. The charge carries the
punishment of flogging.
Women Living Under Muslim Laws – WLUML
Sudan – Call for Action – Women Students Risk Flogging for “Indecent Clothing”
The Public Order Police have
charged 10 female Christian students with "indecent dress” and subjected
them to verbal abuse during their detention. The charge carries the punishment
of flogging.
The Public Order Police (POP) arrested 12
female Christian students on 25 June. Ten of them were charged with
"indecent dress", under Article 152 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act,
while the other two were released. The POP subjected the students to degrading
treatment and humiliating verbal abuse during their detention. Article 152 of
the 1991 Criminal Act gives POP extensive powers to arrest any person for
"indecent dress" and the punishment if found guilty is 40 lashes, or
a fine, or with both. In practice the law is used exclusively against women.
The Public Order Police stopped the 12
students at 10 pm in front of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Khartoum North,
where they had attended a ceremony, and took them to a local police station in
Khartoum North.
According to information obtained by Amnesty
International, the students are between 17 and 23 years old, and all are
Christians, originally from the war-torn Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan
state. At the time of their arrest, some were wearing trousers and others skirts.
Two of the students were released about four hours after their arrest and the
remaining 10 were released on bail at around 10 am on 27 June. The 10 were
taken to court on 28 June where the charges against them were confirmed and
court dates set. One student, Fardos Al Toum, 19, appeared in court on 6 July,
wearing another dress deemed indecent by the judge who, disregarding any due
process, immediately sentenced her to a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds ($83) or a
month in prison. Her fine was paid by activists and her supporters and she will
appear in court again in relation to the original charge. Another student, aged
17, appeared in court on 7 July and, because of her age, was transferred to a
Juvenile Court.
The other nine students: Fardos Al Toum, 19;
Ishraga James, 20; Uthan Omer Eljaily, 22; Diana Yagoub Abd Alrahman, 19; Seema
Ali Osman, 20; Inas Mohamed Elkomani, 23; Rehab Omer Kakoum,18; Nasra Omer
Kakoum, 20; and Wigdan Abdallah Salih – will appear in court on 9, 13, 16 and
17 July according to their lawyer.
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