Human rights defender, Ms Ammal Habani, is facing judicial prosecution following the publication of an article she wrote in defence of Ms Lubna Ahmad Hussein who is currently being prosecuted for violating the Sudanese dress code by wearing trousers in public. Ammal Habini is a journalist for Ajras Al-Hureya newspaper and a defender of women's rights in Sudan.

Further Information

Ammal Habani has been accused of defaming the Public Order Police (POP) in violation of Article 159 of the Sudanese criminal law. The law suit which has been brought against Ammal Habani by the POP seeks that she pay 10 Million Sudanese pounds in compensation. She has been given no date for the forthcoming trial and Front Line has been told that this could happen at any time.

On 12 July 2009, in her article published in Ajras Al-Hureya Newspaper, Ammal Habani criticised the restrictions in law and practice on women's rights and freedoms in Sudan.

On the same day she called for general support for Lubna Ahmad Hussein and attended her court hearing in solidarity. Lubna Ahmad Hussein stands accused of wearing “indecent clothing” and faces 40 lashes if found guilty.

Front Line is deeply concerned that the charge against Ammal Habani by the Public Order Police (POP) forms part of a pattern of repression of freedom of expression and of human rights defenders, particularly women, in Sudan. Front Line fears for the physical and psychological integrity of Ammal Habani.