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against Ms Hussein, saying the law used to justify flogging women for wearing clothes deemed "indecent" should be repealed.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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