Women cleared in indecency case

Charges of indecency have been dropped against 24 women who were caught wearing trousers at a party near Khartoum. The event was raided by police last Wednesday. If convicted, the women could have faced lashes and a fine for wearing ‘obscene outfits’. BBC News reports that rights activists say thousands of women are arrested and flogged for indecency every year, and laws can be applied arbitrarily. The law – Article 152 of the Criminal Code – applies to ‘indecent acts’ in public, wearing an ‘obscene outfit’ or ‘causing an annoyance to public feelings’.