The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has denounced Sudanese authorities’ ongoing confiscation of newspapers in an attempt to financially encumber these press institutions so that they are indirectly forced to be shut down.
Sudanese security bodies have recently confiscated a number of newspapers without clarifying the reasons behind such measures. For instance, on March 23, they impounded with no reason Al-Sayha newspaper’s issue after it had been printed. In addition, security agents confiscated the March 19 issue of Al-Jarida newspaper; a few hours after confiscating the March 18 issue of Al-Youm Al-Tali newspaper without mentioning the reasons.
In a continuation of the security campaign launched by Sudanese authorities against press and media institutions, Al-Sayha newspaper journalist Mohamed Abdel-Maged was suspended from writing for an indefinite period by security bodies, on March 11. His suspension came after eight months following a security decision issued on July 14, 2013, which banned the journalist from writing, while he was working at Al Ahram Al Youm newspaper.
The Arabic Network insisted that Sudanese authorities’ ongoing confiscation of newspapers contradicted the Sudanese President’s statements when he alleged that he had embarked on a series of political reforms and strengthened the country’s freedoms. The actual practices, however, prove otherwise. In other words, these statements were proved to be mere words to improve the image of the ruling regime in front of the international community, in light of the suppression of press freedom that has lately been increased.
