Washington, D.C. (July 15, 2009) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Sudanese officials flogged several Christian women for wearing pants. The Sudanese public order police arrested the girls last week at a ballroom in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.
According to Sudan Tribune, ten girls, including several Christians, each received 10 lashes and was fined 250 Sudanese pounds ($179). Three of the Christian girls are under eighteen years of age. The police accused them of wearing "gross clothing" in violation of the Criminal Penal Code of Sudan. The Sudanese penal code based on Islamic laws which discriminate against religious minorities and women.
By subjecting the girls to inhumane and degrading treatment, the Sudanese officials violated international human rights standards, as well as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 by the Islamist government of Sudan and the mainly Christian and animist southern Sudanese. The agreement provides that Islamic laws are not applicable to non-Muslims living in Khartoum. Khartoum is home to millions of Southern Sudanese who fled the brutal war in South Sudan in which Islamist forces killed 2 million and displaced 4 million.
"The flogging is an imposition of Islamic values on Christians and it's also a violation of religious freedom. This is telling us (the Sudanese people) that there are certain religions that are more important than the rest," stated David Boum Choat in the statement he gave to ICC. Mr. Choat is the public relations and the congregational affairs officer of the mission of the government of South Sudan to the United States. He is also the current acting head of the mission.
ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan Racho, stated, "Flogging women for wearing pants is both outrageous and against the dignity of the women. Sudanese officials responsible for such illegal acts must be held accountable for this injustice."
Please pray that the girls will be comforted by God. For information on helping Christians in Sudan, please contact ICC.
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ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
