Curtis Francis Doebbler v. Sudan

Title
Curtis Francis Doebbler v. Sudan 

Judicial Body:
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights 

Citation:
Communication no. 236/2000 

Date:
15-29 May 2003 

Instrument Cited:
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights 

Summary:
On 13 June 1999, a group of female students at the Nubia Association at Ahlia University held a picnic in Buri, Khartoum along the banks of the river. They were arrested and sentenced to 25-40 lashes for ‘public order’ offences, contrary to Article 152 of the Criminal Law of 1991, because they "were not properly dressed or acting in a way considered immoral, for example girls danced and talked with boys".

A complaint was brought to the Commission stating that this punishment was carried out in violation of Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment.

The Commission ruled the communication admissible and requested the government of Sudan to:

• Immediately amend the Criminal Law of 1991, in conformity with its obligations under the African Charter and other relevant international human rights instruments
• Abolish the penalty of lashes; and
• Take appropriate measures to ensure compensation of victims

Link to Full Judgement:
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/africa/comcases/236-2000.html