Sudan police rounds up Lubna Hussein's supporters

Sudan, Sep 7: Sudanese police drove away about 40 trouser-clad women protesters from outside the court house on Monday, Sep 7, where they were showing support for Lubna Hussein, a female journalist on trial for wearing trousers in public.

Lubna would receive 40 lashes if found guilty of violating Sudan's indecency law, which follows the strict Islamic regulations.

Hussein was among 13 women arrested on Friday, July 3 in a raid by the public order police on a popular cafe in Khartoum. Ten of the women were fined and flogged while Hussein and two others decided to go to court.

Although being a UN staffer, Hussein should have immunity from prosecution yet she opted to resign to face the trial.

In a column published in the British daily, The Guardian on Friday, Sep 4, Hussein said her case was a showcase of repressive laws in a country with a long history of civil conflicts.

"When I think of my trial, I pray that my daughters will never live in fear of these police ... We will only be secure once the police protect us and these laws are repealed," she wrote.

OneIndia News