The public order police in Sudan have filed a complaint against female journalist Amal Habbani, editor of the “Tiny Issues” column in “Ajrass Al Horreya” newspaper over a 12 July story entitled “Lubna…A Case of Subduing a Woman’s Body,” in which she defended Lubna al-Hussein, one of 13 women reportedly arrested – and in some cases flogged – earlier this month for wearing trousers in a Khartoum restaurant.

According to a press release issued by the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) on Friday, Amal is being charged under Article 159 of the 1991 Criminal Code, which deals with defamation.  If convicted, she could face a fine of 10 million Sudanese pounds or almost $3 million Euros.

“The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on the Sudanese authorities to immediately drop all charges against Amal Habbani,” said IPI Director David Dadge. “Such unjust cases weaken the credibility of the Sudanese judiciary and undermine the rule of law in the country. The Sudanese government must accept that the media has a legitimate right to criticise cases where there are concerns about the fair administration of justice.”

Lubna al-Hussein and 12 other women were arrested on 3 July by a group of public order police for wearing trousers and accused of “sensational dressing up” and threatening the values of Sudanese society under Article 152 of the 1991 Criminal Code.

Ten of the women opted to plead guilty, and immediately received 10 lashes and were fined 250 Sudanese pounds.

Lubna, along with two others, opted to take legal counsel and fight the charges. Having taken this route, the women could now face up to 40 lashes.

In a move lauded by ANHRI and other human rights groups, Lubna mailed around 500 invitations to the media and rights groups, asking them to attend her trial and expected flogging.

In the northern part of Sudan including Khartoum, women traditionally wear clothing that covers their faces and bodies, and Sharia law is still implemented.  According to ANHRI, Lubna and the others facing trial were not provided with legal counsel and are not allowed to speak for themselves in court.

The Sudanese parliament recently passed a new press law, which, although removing provisions that allow for journalists’ imprisonment, give courts the right to impose unlimited fines.  The amendments also give the National Press and Publication Council, which is closely linked to the President, the ability to close newspapers for three days without a court ruling.

Sudan already has a poor record on press freedom. According to a 2008 UNHCR report, journalists have in recent years faced harassment, intimidation, attacks and direct censorship at the hands of both government and non-government forces. For example, in early 2007 the private Arabic-language daily Al-Sudani was closed down for several days for violating a ban on coverage of the murder of the former editor-in-chief of the private daily Al-Wifaq, who was beheaded in 2006. And in April 2007, BBC journalist Jonah Fisher was expelled from the country because of his coverage of the region.