The Sudanese Journalists’ Network (SJN) organised a sit-in on Thursday, demanding the release of El Jareeda newspaper’s correspondent in West Kordofan, who was detained by security forces in En Nahud more than two weeks ago.
At 12am today on Thursday, the journalists gathered in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum, protesting against the detention of their colleague, Hassan Ishag, and the suspension of El Sayha newspaper.
SJN representative Abdel Rahman El Ajeb read the memorandum, to be handed to the press council, to a large audience of Sudanese and international reporters. The SJN strongly denounced the “fierce attacks on the press freedom in Sudan”, and called upon “all political and civil society forces to support the fair and justified demands of the press community”.
Apart from the release of Hassan Ishag, and the return of El Sayha newspaper, the journalists demanded from the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) to respect the judiciary, and file complaints against newspapers or journalists through the National Council for Press and Publications.
Hunger strike
In a press statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Journalists’ Network expressed its deep concern about the journalist’s deteriorating health condition, and appealed to “human rights and press organisations all over the world to act for the release of Hassan Ishag”.
“Ishag was tortured during his detention. We hold the national security apparatus responsible for his safety.”
Together with other political detainees, Ishag embarked on a hunger strike last Thursday, demanding to be released or brought before a court.
Reporting by Radio Dabanga
Photos: Journalists protesting in front of the National Council for Press and Publications in Khartoum (Radio Dabanga)