Lubna Hussein Freed From Jail

Lubna Ahmed Hussein spent exactly one day, of her one month sentence, in jail. She had been found guilty of violating article 152 of the Sundanese criminal law, which prohibits dressing indecently in public. She was arrested and found guilty of wearing pants in public.

See an interview with Lubna Hussein before being found guilty:

After being found guilty, a fine of about $200 or one month in jail was imposed. Lubna refused to pay the fine, saying she did not want to "give the verdict any legitimacy", and was imprisoned. Read about the events that led to her being arrested and found guilty.

Mohedinne Titawi, of the Sudanese Union of Journalists, said the union had paid the fine to secure her release.

Upon her release, a defiant Lubna Ahmed Hussein vowed to continue the fight against the law:

"We will continue the fight to change this law, the public order police, the public order tribunals," she said at the offices of Ajras Al-Hurriya (Bells of Freedom) newspaper where noisy supporters celebrated her release.

Her case, which has attracted international attention, was closely watched and condemned by human rights groups.

The office of the UN human rights chief said her sentencing breached international law and exemplified the discrimination faced by women in Sudan.

"Lubna Hussein's case is, in our view, emblematic of a wider pattern of ... application of discriminatory laws against women in Sudan," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Amnesty International urged the Khartoum government to withdraw the charges against Ms Hussein, saying the law used to justify flogging women for wearing clothes deemed "indecent" should be repealed.

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Lubna Hussein Goes to Jail

Lubna Ahmed Hussein, was found guilty of “dressing indecently” under article 152 of Sudanese criminal law. She was given a choice: Pay 500 Sudanese pounds ($209) or go to jail for a month. She chose to go to jail.

Lubna was not accused of being scantly or even provocatively dressed. She was accused of wearing pants. The normal penalty for this crime is a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (about $100) and 40 lashes. For all the details of the Lubna Ahmed Hussein case click here.

"She's in jail now," said her lawyer, Nabil Adib.

"She thinks she was unfairly tried and convicted and was not given a proper chance to put her defence case," Mr Adib said.

According to Mr Adib, she pleaded “not guilty” during her one-day trial. She was not allowed to call defense witnesses or present a defense case, he added. He said Ms Hussein would appeal to both the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court.

They intend to file an appeal within the next three days, “but we do not know how long it will take the court of appeals to decide on the case,” said Adib. He said Lubna could be in jail for a month unless her verdict is overturned.

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Should Women Wear Pants?

Should women wear pants? Not if you are Muslim and live in the Sudan. Lubna Hussein found this out the hard way. She was arrested and faces up to 40 lashes and an unlimited fine if she is convicted of breaching Article 152 of Sudanese criminal law, which prohibits dressing indecently in public.

It all began when Lubna was among a crowd listening to an Egyptian singer in a  Khartoum area restaurant in Sudan when policemen rushed in. They ordered Lubna and other women to stand up to check what they were wearing, and arrested all those who had pants on. Lubna, who was wearing loose green slacks and a floral headscarf, was taken to the police station.

"There were 13 of us, and the only thing we had in common was that we were wearing trousers," Lubna says. "Ten of the 13 women said they were guilty, and they got 10 lashes and a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (about $100). One girl was only 13 or 14. She was so scared she urinated on herself."

Lubna asked for a lawyer and before her first court appearance, she had 500 invitation cards printed, and sent out emails with the subject line: "Sudanese journalist Lubna invites you again to her flogging tomorrow."

As it turns out Lubna works as a public information officer with the United Nations and, because of her job, she was protected from prosecution. She nevertheless decided to make a stand for Sudanese women, regardless of the punishment she might face.

"Afraid of what? No, I am not afraid, really," she insists. "I think that flogging does not hurt, but it is an insult. Not for me, but for women, for human beings, and also for the government of Sudan. How can you tell the world that the government flogs the people? How can you do that?"

"It is not for me. It is my chance to defend the women of Sudan. Women are often arrested and flogged because of what they wear. This has been happening for 20 years. Afterwards some of them don't continue at high school or university, sometimes they don't return to their family, and sometimes if the girls have a future husband, perhaps the relationship comes to an end."

The court was flooded with women's rights activists, politicians, diplomats and journalists, as well as well-wishers. During the hearing, Lubna announced that she would resign from her job as a public information officer with the United Nations in order to fight the case. The judge agreed, and postponed the trial.

On the second attempt to hold the trial the authorities again postponed it under the pretext of attempting to determine whether Lubna Hussein, who arrived at court wearing trousers,  had truly revoked her immunity from prosecution when she resigned from her UN position. The new trial date was set for Sept. 7th.

Speaking shortly before appearing in court, Ms Hussein said:

“Flogging is not pain, flogging is an insult to humans, women and religions. If the court’s decision is that I be flogged, I want this flogging in public.”

After court had adjourned she spoke to her supporters who had gathered outside. A defiant Lubna said:

“They want to check with the UN whether I have immunity from prosecution,” she said outside the courtroom. “I don’t know why, because I have already resigned from the United Nations. I think they just want to delay the case.”

Lubna was asked what will happen if the judge decides, as is still possible, that she was indecently dressed, and sentences her to 40 lashes?

"I will take my case to the upper court, even to the constitutional court," she insists, measuring her words. "And if they find me guilty, I am ready to receive not only 40 lashes, I am ready for 40,000 lashes. If all women must be flogged for what they wear, I am ready to be flogged 40,000 times."

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Dale Neumann Found Guilty

Dale Neumann, 47, was found guilty of second-degree reckless homicide - just like his wife, Leilani Neumann - in the death of his 11-year-old daughter Kara Neumann.  They were both accused of failing to provide their daughter with proper medical care. They decided to pray for the sick little girl rather than getting her the medical attention she so badly needed.

"If I in a moment of crisis and in a moment of time, I went to anyone else but the Lord, it would not have been favorable to God," Dale Neumann said. "It would have been idolatry and sin because it is disobedience."

Madeline Kara Neumann of Weston, Wisconsin died of diabetic ketoacidosis in March 2008. For background details on this case click here and here.

During the trial, Dale Neumann took the stand in his own defense. He defended his actions by reading scripture to the court. He believed that Jesus never went to the doctor and that going to the doctor would be putting God second. It was clear that he did not think he made the wrong decision.

"If I go to any other source that's idolatry, I'm putting something else in the place of God. That is idolatry. That is sin." - Dale Neumann.

During the trial the prosecution contended that Dale Neumann recklessly killed the youngest of his four children by ignoring her deteriorating health. They claimed the girl was too weak to speak, eat, drink or walk and that Neumann had a legal duty to take her to a doctor.

Ariel Neff, Leilani Neumann's former sister-in-law, testified that she made three calls to the Marathon County Sheriff's Department on March 23, 2008, trying to get medical help to the girl on the day she died.

"My sister-in-law is very religious and is refusing to take her daughter to a doctor," Neff said in a recorded call that was played for the jury. "She believes in faith instead of doctors."

The case is believed to be the first of its kind in Wisconsin involving faith healing in which someone died and another person was charged with a homicide.

Emergency workers who rushed to the home testified Monday that the girl wasn't breathing and had no pulse, and that all repeated efforts to revive her failed. She looked malnourished, pale and "skeleton-like," paramedic Hayden Prausa said.

Hospital emergency room Dr. Choon P'ng said the girl reminded him of a cancer patient and that he had never treated anyone with such an advanced case of diabetes.

Both the Prosecutor, Asst. Marathon County D.A., Lamont Jacobson and the Defense Attorney, Jay Kronenwetter, make their closing arguments before the court in the clip below:



The trial itself lasted a week and the jury deliberated for 22 hours. They -  at one time claiming to be deadlocked - would ask the judge several times for clarification and direction before coming to the unanimous decision of guilty.



Both Dale Neumann and his wife Leilani Neumann are due back in court on Oct. 6 to appear before Marathon County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Howard who will decide their fate. They both face up to 25 years in jail.

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UPDATE: 10/6/09

Judge Vincent Howard said the Neumanns were "very good people, raising their family who made a bad decision, a reckless decision."

Dale and Leilani Neumann were each sentenced to six months in jail and ten years of probation.

See video clip here

Leilani Neumann Found Guilty

Leilani Neumann, 41, who - along with her husband Dale - chose to pray for their sick daughter, 11-year-old Kara, rather than seeking medical attention, was found guilty of  second-degree reckless homicide in her death.  Madeline Kara Neumann of Weston, Wisconsin died of diabetic ketoacidosis in March 2008. For background details on this case click here and here.

It took the jury just 4 hours to reach the unanimous guilty verdict. Leilani Neumann faces a maximum of 25 years behind bars when she is sentenced. A date for the sentencing has not yet been announced.

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The lawyer for Leilani Neumann, Gene Linehan, has promised to appeal the verdict and the case may well end up in Wisconsin's Supreme Court.

On one hand, state law says parents such as Neumann whose neglect leads to a child's death are guilty of homicide. Another statute, however, recognizes a parent's right to practice faith healing.

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The day after the verdict was announced Leilani's stepfather Brian Gordon read a letter from Leilani, where it says God is helping her to get through this ordeal.

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"My faith in God does not waver in the midst of this storm. We have peace in God regardless of the decision made yesterday. Our emotions do not hinge on how or if the rest of the world approves of our actions. We live for God's approval alone," said Leilani's Stepfather Biran Gordon, who was reading a letter he says is by Leilani.

Leilani's husband, Dale Neumann, 47,  faces the same charges as his wife and is scheduled to go to trial on July 23.

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