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Sudan Criminalizes FGM, Amends Other Laws from Bashir Era

Michael Atit

   KHARTOUM/WASHINGTON - A human rights activist says Sudan's move to
   change several laws from the Omar al-Bashir administration, including
   one that imposes the death penalty for Muslims who leave their
   religion, marks a big step toward making the country more respectful of
   basic human rights.

   "We commend the step by the current transitional government and
   particularly the minister of justice and his diligent work to have all
   the laws be consistent with the charter for the transitional period
   2019," Adlan Ahmed Abdelaziz, an activist with the U.S.-based Sudan
   Human Rights Network, told VOA's South Sudan in Focus.

   Justice Minister Nasreldin Abdulbari took to the airwaves Saturday to
   say the transitional government, which came to power last year after
   the military ousted Bashir, has enacted several constitutional
   amendments. One cancels capital punishment for Muslims who leave their
   faith. Another allows non-Muslims to drink alcohol in private places
   without fear of prosecution.

   In addition, the government enacted a new law that criminalizes female
   genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision.

   "The constitutional document came as the result of a long and a deep
   negotiation which meant to reflect the aspiration of the [2019]
   revolution. It stipulates law reforms that direct the transitional
   government to carry out responsibilities that secure freedoms and
   rights of all Sudanese people," said Abdulbari.

   The repealed laws were included in Sudan's 1991 penal code during
   Bashir's administration but first introduced in 1983 under
   then-Sudanese President Jafar Nimeiri.

   The apostasy law was used as a political tool by Nimeiri and Bashir to
   limit freedom of religion and to silence critics, said Abdelaziz.

   In 1985, Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, a Sudanese religious leader and trained
   engineer, was executed by the Nimeiri administration on apostasy
   charges after he called for abolishing Sharia Law in Sudan.

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