Confiscation of newspapers draws public attention in Sudan

Sudanese security authorities confiscated printed copies of 13 political and social newspapers, said Journalists for Human Rights in a statement Monday.

"Security authorities Monday seized newspapers of Al-Tayar, Al Ray Al Am, Al-Intibaha, Akhir Lahza, Al Ahram Alyoum, Awal Al-Nahar, Al Watan, Al-Sudani, Alwan, Al-Saiha, Al-Mighar Al-Siyasi, Al-Dar and Hikayat", said Journalists for Human Rights in a statement Monday.

Security authorities have not given any rational reason behind the unprecedented move, said the statement.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Information Minister, Ahmed Bilal Osman, regarded security authorities' confiscation of 13 newspapers as "justified by the law," saying that attempts to disseminate sedition or threaten national security would be faced decisively.

He explained that there are 68 laws that have not been amended including the National Security Law which he said would remain valid until its amendment.

In the meantime, the National Council for Press and Publications Monday held an emergency meeting in the wake of the confiscation of the papers, saying that it has not yet learned of the details which necessitated this "unprecedented move."

The council, in a statement copy received by Xinhua, expressed deep regret over confiscating such a substantial number of newspapers, saying that even if the papers were wrong, the matter could be righted and the faulty individuals punished according to press and publications law.

The council added it would immediately contact the President of the Republic and press partners in the country to contain negative impacts of the move. Enditem