The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned the ruling issued by the El Obeid Criminal Court sentencing pharmacist Ahmed Suleiman Ahmed Al-Waqi’a to six years in prison for expressing his views on the ongoing war in Sudan and advocating for an end to the conflict.
According to information documented by CFJ, Al-Waqi’a’s lawyer stated that a team from the General Intelligence Service detained him after inspecting his mobile phone following a discussion with officers regarding taxes. During the inspection, authorities reportedly found a conversation on his phone in which he expressed his opinion about the war and the need to stop it.
CFJ believes that imprisoning an individual for the peaceful expression of opinions regarding the war raises serious concerns about respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression, particularly as calls for an end to hostilities should not, in themselves, constitute grounds for criminal prosecution.
The Committee for Justice calls for the overturning of the sentence and the immediate release of Ahmed Suleiman, while ensuring his right to a fair trial. CFJ also urges authorities to end the prosecution of civilians for their peaceful views and positions concerning the conflict, uphold freedom of opinion and expression, and refrain from using laws and security measures to suppress voices advocating for peace and an end to the war.