نص الرسالة المفتوحة الى البشير

Quote: Doha, 30th of September 2013 President Republic of Sudan H.E. Omar al-Bashir Your Excellency, Earlier this year a delegation of the Doha Centre for Media Freedom visited Sudan. We had the opportunity to meet representatives from the media, academia, civil society and from your government. We met your Minister for Culture and Information H.E. Ahmed Bilal Osman several times to discuss issues related to the state of the Sudanese media and media freedom. He told us that your government is committed to press freedom and human rights. However developments in the last few days tell another story. Since thousands of people started to protest the price increases of fuel and other commodities, Sudanese and foreign media have come under attack. Newspapers were forced to close or to tell a twisted version of the events taking place. Obstacles were put in the way of cameramen and photographers. The offices of major foreign TV channels were shut. It is increasingly difficult for journalists to report objectively and safely on what is happening right now in Khartoum, Omdurman and other cities across the country. The Doha Centre for Media Freedom condemns in the strongest terms the violations against media workers in Sudan. I would like to remind you respectfully that the current demonstrations are not caused by the media, but by the socio-economic conditions the Sudanese people have to endure. That is why we appeal to you to respect the human rights of the Sudanese people, including the right to know. We appeal to you to guarantee the freedom and safety of Sudanese and foreign journalists to do their work and to refrain from all forms of censorship. Sincerely yours, Jan Keulen Director-general DCMF