SUDAN: LUBNA HUSSEIN, NOMINATION FOR 2010 INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001361 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, INR/AA, S/GWI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM KTIP PINR NI SUBJECT: SUDAN: LUBNA HUSSEIN, NOMINATION FOR 2010 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD REF: A) STATE 111471 B) KHARTOUM 870 C) KHARTOUM 905 D) KHARTOUM 1036 ¶1. (U) U.S. Embassy Khartoum nominates Lubna Hussein for the 2010 Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage. ¶2. (U) The Public Order Police of the Government of Sudan (GOS) arrested Hussein in July, charging her with violating the Sudanese law for "public appearance in indecent dress." At the time of her arrest, Hussein was attending a social event at a restaurant in Khartoum and was wearing loose-fitting long pants, a multi-layered long-sleeved dress blouse, and a silk headscarf. Hussein refused to accept the circumscribed punishment of either payment of a fine or forty lashes, and instead challenged Sudanese authorities to a full public trial. After numerous trial delays and public hearings, Hussein served one day in jail but was freed when her fine for 500 Sudanese pounds (approximately USD 220) was paid on her behalf and against her wishes by the pro-government Sudanese Journalists Union. ¶3. (SBU) Hussein attracted worldwide media attention for her adamant stand in favor of women's rights, which began with her arrest and has continued following her travels throughout the Middle East and Europe. She has consistently stated that her goal is to overturn Sudan's archaic Public Order Laws, which the GOS enacted in the 1980s to link Sudanese law more closely to Sharia law. Hussein hopes that her efforts will prevent women from being lashed in the future for subjective interpretations of ambiguous legal language and for violating arbitrary enforcement of the Public Order Laws. Sudanese civil society rallied to support her cause, and Hussein's case took GOS authorities by surprise. Prior to the conclusion of her trial, Hussein acknowledged receiving numerous anonymous threats, including death and rape threats. ¶4. (SBU) Hussein is currently traveling in Europe. Post has not yet informed Lubna Hussein of this nomination. This nomination has been seconded by the Office of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan General Scott Gration. ¶5. (SBU) Post's Point of Contact for this nomination is Political Officer Bonnie Long (longbd@state.gov). WHITEHEAD