Judged Guilty But Jailed When Refused To Pay Fine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 20, 2009 -- Fined for wearing trousers, a 34 year old widow, Lubna Hussein was found guilty of indecency in a case that has demanded worldwide attention. Hussein was saved from receiving the maximum penalty of 40 lashes, but was carried off to jail when she refused to pay the fine. Hussein was fined 500 Sudanese pounds ($200).

In order to support Hussein, diplomats from the British, French, Canadian, Swedish and Dutch Embassies showed up at the Khartoum courthouse.

"Hussein was found guilty, but we know she is not guilty", said a government official, Yasser Arman. "This is a clear violation of the constitution, of women's rights, and the peace agreement". Arman is also a senior member of the former rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Nabil Adib Abdalla, the defense lawyer said the law on indecent dress was so wide it contravened Hussein's right to a fair trial. Hussein has pledged to appeal the sentence. A committee formed for Hussein's defense may pay the fine and free her.

Sudan's Islamic decency regulations are believed to be on trial in this case. Many women activists say the laws are hazy and allow individual police officers excessive latitude to determine what is suitable clothing for women. Hussein has publicized her case, by posing in loose trousers for photographs and calling for media support.

In Sudan where there is a large cultural gap between the mostly Muslim and Arab-oriented north and the mainly Christian south. Indecency cases are not uncommon. Almost 100 women gathered by the court, ahead of the verdict, so as to lend support to Hussein. Several of the women were dressed in trousers.

Political and human rights groups strongly contested the trial, claiming the law violated Sudan's 2005 constitution. Before the court session even began scuffles broke out between the women and Islamists, who shouted religious slogans and denounced Hussein and her supporters as prostitutes. They demanded a harsh sentence for Hussein.
At least one woman was beaten and around 40 women protesters were arrested, before the crowds were dispersed by riot police.

"A showcase of repressive laws in a country with a long history of civil conflicts" is the way Ms Hussein described her arrest.

Amnesty International has placed pressure on the Sudanese Government to drop the charges and repeal the law, which they claim ‘justifies abhorrent penalties’.

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Lubna Hussein     pants controversy in Sudan     Sudanese woman fined