Emergency Lawyers Condemn Criminal Proceedings Against 47 Sudanese Journalists

Moatinoon
The Emergency Lawyers group has strongly condemned the criminal proceedings launched against dozens of Sudanese journalists and media professionals over the publication and republication of an investigative report alleging corruption within state institutions, describing the move as a serious escalation in the crackdown on press freedom and freedom of expression.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the group said the Public Prosecution Office for Cybercrime in Red Sea State had issued arrest warrants for 47 journalists and media workers, including newspaper editors, digital media executives, and website administrators. It also declared 17 of them as fugitives, ordering them to surrender within a specified period.

According to the statement, the charges were brought under Articles 10, 23, 24, and 25 of Sudans Cybercrime Act, including allegations of violating privacy, defamation, and publishing false information, in connection with reporting on alleged corruption within government institutions.

Emergency Lawyers argued that prosecuting journalists instead of investigating the corruption allegations represents "a departure from the principles of justice and accountability" and undermines the watchdog role of the media in promoting transparency and combating corruption.

The group warned that the case sends a chilling message to journalists across Sudan that reporting on or republishing stories involving corruption or the performance of state institutions could result in criminal prosecution, encouraging self-censorship and restricting the publics right to access information.

The statement further expressed concern over the use of the Cybercrime Act against journalistic work involving matters of public interest, arguing that it raises serious questions about the misuse of legislation to suppress freedom of expression.

Emergency Lawyers said the measures are inconsistent with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, both of which guarantee the right to freedom of expression and access to information.

The group noted that the case comes amid an ongoing pattern of arrests, detentions, threats, and legal harassment targeting journalists in Sudan, reflecting a broader effort to restrict civic space and undermine independent journalism.

Emergency Lawyers called for the immediate suspension of all criminal proceedings against the journalists, the withdrawal of arrest warrants and fugitive notices, an independent investigation into the corruption allegations raised in the report, an end to the use of the Cybercrime Act to criminalize journalism, and stronger protections for journalists to carry out their work free from intimidation or retaliation.

The group also urged the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, the African Commissions Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, and international press freedom organizations to monitor the case and take steps to protect journalists in Sudan.