Urgebt Action - Sudan

FIVE SUDANESE ACTIVISTS DETAINED.

On 20 April around 100 people were arrested following demonstrations at Nyala University, Nyala, capital of South Darfur state in Sudan. Five of those arrested remain in custody. One of them is suffering from an acute stomach ulcer. All are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The five who remain in detention are all students, following protests that took place on 20 April at Nyala University. Habieb Yahya Abdellah, Abdelraziq Mohamed Omar, Saeed Adam Abdelrahim Abdellah, Mohamed Abdalla (also known as Mohamed Ali Clay), are being detained at the Korea prison in the south of Nyala. Shakir Abdelrahman Adam was transferred to the South Darfur military headquarters in Nyala, by the National Intelligence and Security Services. Shakir Abdelrahman Adam has an acute stomach ulcer, and was suffering from ill-health prior to his arrest. He was reportedly tortured in custody. The authorities have failed to provide family members or lawyers with access to the five detainees. The student activists remain at risk of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. On 20 April, students and activists took part in demonstrations at Nyala University. Security forces surrounded the university and arrested 100 people; 55 people were swiftly released with a further 40 people being released afterwards. The students and activists were demonstrating against the poor living conditions and insecurity in Darfur as well as for accountability for human rights violations committed in Darfur. Similar protests took place in other places in Sudan including Zalingei, in West Darfur, Wad Medani in east-central Sudan, and Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where there are large numbers of Darfuri residents. Arrests have been reported during most of the protests, and people in Zalingei, West Darfur, were taken to hospital after allegedly being injured by the police.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:

• Call on the authorities to immediately ensure that Habieb Yahya Abdellah, Abdelraziq Mohamed Omar, Saeed Adam Abdelrahim Abdellah, Mohamed Abdalla (also known as Mohamed Ali Clay), and Shakir Abdelrahman Adam, have access to their families, lawyers, and any medical treatment they might require;
• Call on the authorities to ensure that the five persons detained are not tortured or otherwise ill treated and that they are either charged with a recognizable criminal offense or released;
• Call on the Sudanese government to immediately stop the harassment and intimidation of activists in Sudan and to respect their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 14 MAY 2011 TO:

Minister of Justice
Mr Mohammed Bushara Dousa Ministry of Justice,
PO Box 302 Al Nil Avenue Khartoum,
Sudan
Salutation: Your Excellency

Fax: +249 183 764 168 Governor of South Darfur
Mr Abdulhameed Musa Kasha Wali,
South Darfur State Nyala,
South Darfur
Fax: +249 731 842 696

And copies to:
Minister of Interior Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed
Ministry of Interior PO Box 873 Khartoum, Sudan

There are no diplomatic representatives accredited to New Zealand. Please check with your Urgent Action team if sending appeals after the above date.

FIVE SUDANESE ACTIVISTS DETAINED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Protests in Sudan that started at the end of January have carried on through February, March and into April. The wave of protests that started off in Tunisia and Egypt appear to have inspired people in Sudan to voice their discontent at their government, as well as on issues such as unemployment and increases in food prices. The protests were often student led. The practice of arbitrary arrest and detention of Darfuris by law enforcement agencies such as the National Intelligence and Security Service has been rife in Darfur. Amnesty International has documented cases of prolonged detention without trial of Darfuris. Detainees have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and unfair trials. According to UN estimates, around 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.7 million displaced since 2003 as a result of the Darfur conflict. The conflict has been marked by large-scale violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.