Justice for Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein
- van: Sarah Dye
- ontvanger: UN, Sudanese Government
Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein was arrested in a cafe in Khartoum, Sudan, along with 12 other women. What was their crime? They were wearing pants.
Though most of the women pled guilty to violating Sudan's law of indecency, al-Hussein and two others refused to plead guilty in order to go to trial and defend their rights. By Sudan's law, the women could recieve 40 lashes for violating the nation indecency law. Al-Hussein calls this law unconstitutional.
Al-Hussein was a public information officer for the UN and had legal immunity, but resigned her position after her arrest in order to go to trial. Despite claims she may still have immunity, even after resigning from her position, her name has been blacklisted and she can't leave the country.
What real harm is there in a woman wearing pants? Where in the Koran, or the bible even, does it say a woman can't wear pants. Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein's arrest is unnecessary and unlawful. It's a violation of her rights and every other Sudanese woman's rights.
