Living in sudan or visiting the country, you should think about your internet connectivity in advance. Sudan a dangerous place for journalists who cross states red lines. Best vpn for sudan in 2020 beat censorship, unlock faster. Sudans legal framework and violations of freedom of expression and association. Censorship in sudan is dictated by government authorities, arising from the. Nov 14, 2017 refworld is the leading source of information necessary for taking quality decisions on refugee status. The organizations call on south sudans parliament to pass the media laws in a timely. Selfcensorship among online journalists and ordinary users was more. Former war correspondent and 2003 freedom of expression journalism awardwinner fergal keane has continued his commitment to truth in journalism worst countries for restrictions on religious freedom some of the worst countries for religious freedom are burma, north korea, saudi arabia, sudan, uzbekistan, turkmenistan, china, eritrea, iran. Internet freedom in sudan suffered as the country experienced mass protests, a harsh response from the government, and the ouster of longtime president omar albashir. Former sudanese journalist discusses free press and censorship by kymelya sari. In the latest magazine issue of index on censorship the bishop of bradford nick baines reflects on his first visit to sudan, a country whose leader strongly believes in one religion and one language for all. Freedom of expression essential for peace in south sudan. Newspapers also face arbitrary requirements imposed by niss, which.
Below, we compare the top vpn providers according to their security, performance, and price. Freedom of expression in sudan ohchr upr submissions. Sudan papers go online for freedom from censors the citizen. Report on the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In spite of some positive steps made by the sudanese government, reports of arbitrary arrests, torture and press censorship, along with the situation in the warravaged darfur region, are cause for concern, an independent united nations human rights expert said today sima samar, the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the sudan, wrapped up an 11day visit to the country. Sudan a dangerous place for journalists who cross states. The regime often used laws and tactics to silence and oppress opponents including systematic internet censorship. Internet freedom in sudan declined in the past year due to a crippling economic. The international community must pressure khartoum to allow press freedom first before engaging with them, mohammed said. The information has been carefully selected and compiled from unhcrs global network of field. The internet freedom has become an unattainable desire for many customers worldwide as well as for sudan. Freedom of speech and an independent press is important for the people of south sudan to hold their authorities accountable. A union statement said the threeday strike is also a protest against authorities barbaric assault on press freedoms, including censorship and confiscating newspaper editions. Sound and fury index on censorship index on censorship. This means more restrictions on freedom of expression, more filtering, and more surveillance. Censorship as a human rights violation in sudan the enough. State of freedom of expression in sudan civic space. The mo ibrahim foundation has condemned what it described as the censorship of news about the ongoing antigovernment protests in sudan and restriction of access to the internet.
Its incorrect and even illegal to jail people for web freedom. Oct 25, 2019 the regime often used laws and tactics to silence and oppress opponents including systematic internet censorship. Former sudanese journalist discusses free press and censorship. This is a work that sheds light into the worlds darkest corners where, every day, journalists are threatened and attacked. First vice president ali osman taha issued these directives with the express order that they be effective immediately, allowing news sources and journalists more freedom and protection. Apr 11, 2014 this means more restrictions on freedom of expression, more filtering, and more surveillance. Entrenched repression freedom of expression and association under unprecedented attack. It also imported advanced technologies and equipment to censor and filter internet communications. Regime repression stifles sudan s net freedom sudan has widespread and affordable internet access the problem is the oppressive regime, writes dalia hajomar. Individuals and organizations may engage in selfcensorship for moral, religious, or business reasons, to conform to societal norms, due to intimidation, or out of fear of legal or other consequences. The government of sudan is cracking down on human rights activists.
In a country of increasing media censorship, baz is among several independent journalists who have left newspaper jobs and launched online. On the third anniversary of south sudans independence, reporters without borders has assessed the current state of freedom of information and its dashed aspirations in the worlds youngest state, which has been riven by civil war since middecember 20. Confiscations of print runs was the censorship method most frequently used by niss, this was an incentive to selfcensorship. He recently authored a book on press freedom in sudan called, walls of. Sudan journalists go on strike in support of protests. Sudans government silences press through ownership. Sudan country report freedom on the net 2018 key developments. Jun 17, 20 first vice president ali osman taha issued these directives with the express order that they be effective immediately, allowing news sources and journalists more freedom and protection. Sudan s government silences press through ownership. This latest escalation in censorship comes as a committee formed by the justice ministry prepares to discuss a new press law.
Videosharing platform youtube is the secondmost popular website as of august 2019, according to alexa internet. Sudanese authorities urged to end systematic censorship. Sudan has restrictive laws that limit press and internet freedom. Sudan papers go online for freedom from censors the mail. May 19, 2016 reporters without borders rsf condemns the seizure of five issues of the daily newspaper al jareeda in the space of a week. It shows peoples comments on ktns canceling, looting in south sudan, links to the full documentary, reasons behind the south sudan civil war, media censorship, silence by the ignorant perpetrators and the next plan of action. One of sudan s leading independent papers suspended work on thursday, saying censorship by authorities had made it impossible to function. Media freedom on hold in south sudan because of civil war. After members of the national intelligence and security service niss seized al jareedas issues on 9, 10, 12 and may, the newspaper. Censorship of it has occurred and continues to occur in some countries throughout the world.
Sudanese authorities urged to end systematic censorship rsf. Norcap and unesco work with local organisations, institutions and. They were born only 15 years after sudan gained independence from british rule. Confiscations of print runs was the censorship method most frequently used by niss, this was an incentive to self censorship. Internet users in sudan face harsh surveillance and censorship online, but its possible to regain your digital privacy with the best vpn. Yesterday, the local press freedom group sudanese journalists network said on twitter that the sudanese national intelligence services. This, on the heels of a year marred with censorship, violence, and grave human rights abuses, appeared to be a milestone in sudans process of democratization.
Sudan must stop trying to censor newspapers, websites committee. The sudan civic space monitor produces quarterly analysis reports on the state of freedom of expression in sudan. Internet freedom remained tenuous in sudan in the past year, characterized. Despite all the obstacles, south sudan had initially seemed to embody a new hope of stability. Internet freedom in sudan improved marginally in 201516 due to the lack of. South sudan releases journalists held for criticizing president posted on november 16, 2011 by action for freedom leave a comment the deputy editor of the destiny newspaper, dengdit ayok, after being released from custody in juba, november 19, 2011. Refworld is the leading source of information necessary for taking quality decisions on refugee status. Internet censorship is the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the internet enacted by regulators, or on their own initiative. Media freedom on hold in south sudan because of civil war rsf.
Analysing all reported incidents of user rights violations and limits on content in sudan, freedom house ranked sudan a not free status with a score of 64. Habani and other journalists in sudan paint a grim picture of nonexistent freedom of expression. Street protests have swept most of sudan since dec. While the state censorship may shift focus from time to time, mohammed believes press freedom conditions in sudan are continually declining. The ntc also obligates cybercafe owners to download blocking and filtering. Internet freedom in sudan suffered as the country experienced mass protests, a harsh. In 2008 sudan established its first attorney general for cyber crimes. The sudanese government has shifted tactics over the past year, as users increasingly turned to dig.
One of sudans leading independent papers suspended work on thursday, saying censorship by authorities had made it impossible to function. Jun 10, 2010 media censorship and repression have made a comeback in sudan since the reelection in april of president omar albashir, say independent papers say. This submission focuses on freedom of expression in sudan, including media freedom. Refworld contains a vast collection of reports relating to situations in countries of origin, policy documents and positions, and documents relating to international and national legal frameworks. In a country of increasing media censorship, baz is among several independent journalists. Dec, 2017 sudan papers go online for freedom from censors. Jul 11, 2014 on the third anniversary of south sudans independence, reporters without borders has assessed the current state of freedom of information and its dashed aspirations in the worlds youngest state, which has been riven by civil war since middecember 20. Undue restrictions on freedom of expression are having a chilling effect and. Dec 10, 2014 sudan a dangerous place for journalists who cross states red lines. Freedom of expression is of universal importance, but its absence is sometimes more easily seen through the lens of a different culture. It gained independence from the republic of the sudan in 2011, making it the most recent sovereign state with widespread recognition. According to the companys press page, youtube has more than one billion users, and each day, those users watch more than one billion hours of video. Feb 15, 2020 internet users in sudan face harsh surveillance and censorship online, but its possible to regain your digital privacy with the best vpn.
Sudan accused of censorship in wave of newspaper confiscations. The ntc also obligates cybercafe owners to download blocking and. Ajras alhuriya, or the bells of freedom, said it had not been able to publish for two days this week after sudanese security arrived and ordered the removal of up to nine articles and columns minutes before the paper went to the printing press. Regime repression stifles sudans net freedom sudan has widespread and affordable internet access the problem is the oppressive regime, writes dalia hajomar.
The report finds that genuine reconciliation and lasting peace will only be achieved if the people of the east african nation are free and safe to express their opinions. Dec 27, 2018 a union statement said the threeday strike is also a protest against authorities barbaric assault on press freedoms, including censorship and confiscating newspaper editions. Internet freedom in sudan improved marginally in 201516 due to the lack of internet shutdowns and content restrictions experienced in previous years, despite a rise in arrests and prosecutions. Selfcensorship among online journalists and ordinary users was more palpable due to fears of government surveillance and arbitrary legal consequences. Sudan has a website filtering system organised by the ntc, which divides websites into various categories, including pornographic websites and websites related to drugs, bombs, alcohol, abuse of the true islamic religion, and gambling. Media censorship and repression have made a comeback in sudan since the reelection in april of president omar albashir, say independent papers say. I agree to receive the index on censorship weekly newsletter, monthly events newsletter and periodic campaign updates via. Sudan introduction internet freedom in sudan improved marginally in 201516 due to the lack of internet shutdowns. Report on the right to freedom of opinion and expression in. In particular journalists and social media users were restricted in their online activities, according to the new report on sudans freedom on the net by the international freedom house. Press freedom still in transition a year after omar albashirs removal april 10, 2020 find. Press freedom in a conflictridden country south sudan.
Censorship and harassment of journalists and human rights. In the latest magazine issue of index on censorship the bishop of bradford nick baines reflects on his first visit to sudan, a country whose leader strongly believes in one religion and one language for all freedom of expression is of universal importance, but its absence is sometimes more easily seen through the lens of a different culture. Report on the right to freedom of opinion and expression in south. English analysis on south sudan about protection and human rights and idps. Censorship as a human rights violation in sudan the. Freedom house, a washingtonbased nongovernmental organization that advocates for human rights, began producing its freedom on the net report in. Sudan media slam the return of censorship the mail. The organizations call on south sudans parliament to. Today, as sudan embarks on a threeyear transition toward democracy and civilian rule, transitional authorities need to take steps to guarantee internet freedom and cut ties with censorship practices and policies of the former. Severe limitations on freedom of expression and repression of media. Its an everyday battle censorship and harassment of journalists and human rights defenders in sudan i. People at a protection of civilians camp in malakal, south sudan, peacefully. Online surveillance and censorship in sudan association. But a good vpn hides your data from your isp, so they cant see what youre doing and slow you down.
In response to the uprising, the government instituted social media blocks and continued to regularly arrest and harass people in retaliation for their online activities. The government continued to practice direct prepublication and prebroadcast censorship of all forms of media. The authorities use several laws to curb press freedom, editors say, adding that the overall environment of media censorship has only grown. This is a summary of the profiteers looting of south sudan by africa uncensored. Any violations of freedom of expression are particularly of concern with. June 1, 2017 may 31, 2018 access to the internet became more challenging and expensive for sudanese citizens amid a continually deteriorating economy see availability and ease of access. Inside the global battle for media freedomthe quintessential handbook of how precisely and graphically to define censorship in all its varied and pernicious forms. Online surveillance and censorship in sudan association for. Best vpn for sudan in 2020 beat censorship, unlock. Prepublication censorship was prevalent during the reporting period, and. Sudan archives index on censorship index on censorship. Arrests and interrogations for online activities continued in the past year, particularly as heavyhanded censorship on the print and broadcast sectors led journalists to migrate online to disseminate news. Feb 07, 2014 sudan accused of censorship in wave of newspaper confiscations.