Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Women Activists Detained in Sudan

"Today, during International Women’s Day, we must remember that women in Sudan are being persecuted for pursuing human rights. More than 60 women were peacefully protesting in Omdurman today, March 8th, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. The expected turnout was anticipated to be higher, but the arrests began when the women started demonstrating which deterred a larger gathering. More than 40 women were detained. Half of the women have been released but the rest are awaiting discharge. The protests were against women's discrimination and the repression of activists in Sudan as well as in response to the rape of Safia Ishag on February 13th."

This is an excerpt from the Press Release issued today by Smith STAND to highlight the crisis in Sudan.

The police brutality was reported by Reuters here:
"Within 10 minutes officers bundled 30 of the women into the back of a truck. When the women continued to protest inside the vehicle, officers entered and beat some of them with batons, said the witness."