Press Release: Protest in support of Lubna Hussein
Demonstration: Friday September 4th 2009
Opposite the Embassy of Sudan, 3 Cleveland Row, London SW1 1DD
13.00 – Speakers
13.30 – Leaflet distribution
Background 13 women were arrested on July 3rd 2009 in Khartoum, under Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Code. They were arrested for wearing trousers, and sentenced to flogging and bail of $100. Three of the women and journalist Lubna Hussein rejected the punishment and requested a lawyer and a trial. All four were granted a presidential pardon, which they refused, challenging the judge to eliminate Article 152 of the Criminal Code. Lubna Hussein’s trial is scheduled for September 7th.
Article 152 stipulates that any conduct or clothing in violation of public decency should be punished with 40 lashes. But the Article is vague on what constitutes indecent clothing and stands against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005) between North and South Sudan, which recognises the human rights of all Sudanese citizens. The Article is used to harass women in the streets of Khartoum and all over Sudan.
Our protest The organisers are a group of women and men who are outraged about what has happened to Lubna Hussein and thousands of other women in Sudan. We want to show our solidarity with Lubna Hussein and to add our voices to those calling for an end to this barbaric treatment of women.
The demonstration will be held on Friday September 4th between 13.00 – 14.00
outside the Embassy of Sudan, 3 Cleveland Row, London SW1 1DD.
Speakers:
Dr Amal Sidahmed from Sudan
Ajok Wek Athian, Chair of Sudanese Women for Peace and Equality
Third speaker - to be confirmed
Lynne Featherstone MP, (Liberal Democrat) and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown are sending messages of support.
We will distribute leaflets in Piccadilly and Green Park, urging people to sign
the petition at: www.care2.com/news/member/338686546/1215811 and to contact their MPs; The Ambassador of Sudan, Omer Mohamed Siddig and David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, asking them to:
condemn the whipping and punishment of women for wearing trousers in Sudan;
call for the elimination of Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Code;
ask President al-Bashir to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and respect the human rights of all Sudan’s citizens.
And send messages of support to Lubna Hussein’s campaign: iawos152@hotmail.com
Initiative Against Women’s Oppression in Sudan.
Contact: Carrie Supple (organiser) Tel. 07711199198
Dr Amal Sidahmed (speaker) from Sudan Tel. 07554008332
Demonstration: Friday September 4th 2009
Opposite the Embassy of Sudan, 3 Cleveland Row, London SW1 1DD
13.00 – Speakers
13.30 – Leaflet distribution
Background 13 women were arrested on July 3rd 2009 in Khartoum, under Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Code. They were arrested for wearing trousers, and sentenced to flogging and bail of $100. Three of the women and journalist Lubna Hussein rejected the punishment and requested a lawyer and a trial. All four were granted a presidential pardon, which they refused, challenging the judge to eliminate Article 152 of the Criminal Code. Lubna Hussein’s trial is scheduled for September 7th.
Article 152 stipulates that any conduct or clothing in violation of public decency should be punished with 40 lashes. But the Article is vague on what constitutes indecent clothing and stands against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005) between North and South Sudan, which recognises the human rights of all Sudanese citizens. The Article is used to harass women in the streets of Khartoum and all over Sudan.
Our protest The organisers are a group of women and men who are outraged about what has happened to Lubna Hussein and thousands of other women in Sudan. We want to show our solidarity with Lubna Hussein and to add our voices to those calling for an end to this barbaric treatment of women.
The demonstration will be held on Friday September 4th between 13.00 – 14.00
outside the Embassy of Sudan, 3 Cleveland Row, London SW1 1DD.
Speakers:
Dr Amal Sidahmed from Sudan
Ajok Wek Athian, Chair of Sudanese Women for Peace and Equality
Third speaker - to be confirmed
Lynne Featherstone MP, (Liberal Democrat) and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown are sending messages of support.
We will distribute leaflets in Piccadilly and Green Park, urging people to sign
the petition at: www.care2.com/news/member/338686546/1215811 and to contact their MPs; The Ambassador of Sudan, Omer Mohamed Siddig and David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, asking them to:
condemn the whipping and punishment of women for wearing trousers in Sudan;
call for the elimination of Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Code;
ask President al-Bashir to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and respect the human rights of all Sudan’s citizens.
And send messages of support to Lubna Hussein’s campaign: iawos152@hotmail.com
Initiative Against Women’s Oppression in Sudan.
Contact: Carrie Supple (organiser) Tel. 07711199198
Dr Amal Sidahmed (speaker) from Sudan Tel. 07554008332
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