SAR CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF JOURNALIST RASHA HASSAN FOLLOWING HER DETENTION OVER REPUBLICATION OF NEWS.

The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) expresses serious concern over the detention of journalist Rasha Hassan in Al Qatina, White Nile State, following a complaint by a school administration over her republication on Facebook of a news report concerning students who were allegedly prevented from sitting examinations because of unpaid school fees.

According to Radio Dabanga, Hassan was summoned by telephone to Al Qatina police station on 25 October 2026 and detained following a complaint filed by the school administration under Article 159 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act, relating to defamation. The complaint reportedly followed Hassan’s republication of a report originally published by Al Rakoba on 19 August concerning complaints that students had been denied access to examinations because their families could not meet school related fees.

The reported allegations concerned a matter of clear public interest. According to the report, parents in Al Qatina raised concerns that students had been prevented from sitting examinations after their families were unable to pay fees reportedly amounting to SDG 80,000. The school administration reportedly stated that the amount covered examination fees and a compulsory camp, while the examination fee set by the Ministry of Education was reportedly SDG 60,000. Reports further indicate that the Ministry had directed schools not to prevent students from accessing education or examinations because of unpaid fees.

SAR is particularly concerned that a journalist has been detained in connection with the republication of information that had already been published by another media outlet and concerned an issue affecting children, families and access to education. The detention of Hassan in these circumstances risks criminalising legitimate journalistic activity and creating a chilling effect on journalists reporting on matters of public concern.

While individuals and institutions have the right to seek legal redress where they believe their reputation has been unlawfully harmed, the use of criminal proceedings and detention against a journalist must meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality. Criminal defamation provisions should not be used as a means of intimidating journalists, suppressing legitimate reporting or restricting the public’s access to information.

Hassan’s detention also adds to the growing number of journalists who have been detained, summoned, forcibly disappeared or otherwise subjected to restrictions in connection with their journalistic work since the outbreak of the war. In August 2026, the Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate reported that more than 13 journalists had been detained or forcibly disappeared since the conflict began. The continued use of detention, criminal complaints and other restrictive measures against journalists risks creating a climate of fear and self censorship, further undermining press freedom and the public’s right to access information.

The Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate has also raised concerns over restrictions on journalists in White Nile State, including Hassan’s detention and repeated security summonses involving other journalists. Such practices risk undermining journalistic independence and limiting the ability of journalists to report on issues affecting their communities.

Article 57 of Sudan’s 2019 Constitutional Document guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to receive and publish information, as well as freedom of the press and other media. Article 25 of Sudan’s Press and Publications Act 2009 provides protections for journalists against interference in the exercise of their professional duties and states that, except in cases of flagrante delicto, a journalist should not be arrested in connection with a charge relating to the practice of journalism until the relevant journalists’ federation has been notified in writing.

Sudan’s obligations under international and regional human rights law further require the protection of freedom of expression and access to information. Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media, while Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protects the right to receive information and to express and disseminate opinions. Restrictions on these rights must be lawful and meet the requirements of necessity and proportionality.

SAR calls for the immediate release of Rasha Hassan unless there is a lawful and compelling basis for her continued detention. Any proceedings against her must fully respect her rights to due process, legal representation, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

SAR further calls on the authorities to refrain from using criminal proceedings, detention or security summonses to intimidate journalists or interfere with legitimate journalistic work. Complaints arising from reporting should be addressed through lawful and proportionate processes that respect the central role of independent journalism in enabling public access to information.

SAR urges the authorities to uphold Sudan’s national, regional and international human rights obligations and to ensure that journalists are protected from intimidation, arbitrary interference and unlawful restrictions. Journalists must be able to report and disseminate information on matters of legitimate public interest without fear of detention or reprisal.

Sudanese Alliance for Rights,

27 October 2026