Nahid Hussein Abuelhassan

I was born and raised in Sudan, where one of the dominant cultural values is collectivism. For almost three decades, I witnessed how an individual would care for another by putting his or her own needs last. This culture has formed my values and beliefs and significantly added to who I am today. At a young age, I learned how to be supportive and giving in a great sense of compassion. Thinking about the other has helped me in building and maintaining a high sense of integrity and advocating for justice and respecting others. The sense of caring for a community has always encouraged me to act and react for the benefit of all.

Despite this bright side of the Sudanese culture, the Sudanese citizens have suffered from many kinds of dictatorships.  The longer a dictator rules the country, the greater the effect would be on the people and their ability to challenge a situation. A person would fear losing his or her employment, a chance to having an education, a threat of being tortured or killed, if he or she attempts to oppose the government or voice an opinion.
In many cases, this system resulted in having many individuals go through  criminal proceeding without being represented. The system also allowed the appointment, as judges, of many individuals who do not have legal education or legal experience. It further allowed the holding of some secret hearings without allowing legal representation. Many of these hearings resulted in the execution of some individuals for their own personal and political opinions. The legal system in Sudan has also suffered from the dominant approach of the dictator. For example, many of the legal advocates face unlawful discharge or imprisonment when they challenge unjust legislation.

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• Minnesota

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