Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

28th November 2007

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network [EHAHRD-Net] is deeply irked by unending reports of mistreatment of human rights defenders in Sudan.

According to reports received from the Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT) which is also the Focal Point for EHAHRD-Net, the violations against the rights of HRDs are being perpetrated by Sudan’s National Security Services (NSS). At least 8 HRDs including journalists have either been detained without any warrant or have been threatened as a result of their human rights work.

“The Khartoum authorities must desist from further intimidation of HRDs keeping in mind their important role of ensuring the necessary checks and balances on the country’s human rights performance. Sudan must equally comply with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson EHAHRDP/Net.

Among others, Article 1, of the UN Declaration on HRDs provides that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”; while Article 5 provides that, “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, [...] to form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups”.

BACKGROUND

EHAHRD-Net has learnt that on November 21, 2007, two persons from the NSS came to the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights (KCHR) and picked Mr. Amir Mohamed Suleiman, KCHR Chairperson, and Ms. Mashair Abdullah Omer, KCHR Finance Officer. The two were taken to the NSS premises in Khartoum North where they were detained from around midday till late. They were reportedly interrogated about a number of issues though no explanation was adduced regarding their arrest.

On the same day, Ms. Madiha Abdullah, a journalist with the daily newspaper Al-Ayyam, which has faced frequent censorship, and a collaborator of the Al-Laq Press Centre, a Khartoum-based non-governmental organisation that carries out activities including training journalists; as well as Dr. Nagib Nagmeldin, former SOAT coordinator in Sudan, were also detained and questioned at the NSS offices in Khartoum North. The following day, Mr. Amir Suleiman and Dr. Nagib Nagmeldin were ordered to return to the NSS offices at 2 p.m, while Ms. Omer was required to provide documentation relating to the finances of KCHR. Mr. Suleiman reportedly complied with the order and left the NSS offices at 6 p.m.

In earlier incidences, three journalists and human rights defenders namely; Mr. Faisal el-Bagir, a SOAT member and a reporter for Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières - RSF), Ms. Lemia el-Jaili Abu Bakr and Mr. Sabah Mohamed Adam, both members of the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development (KCHRED), were summoned to the same NSS offices in Khartoum North, detained for several hours and subjected to questioning along similar lines.

APPEAL:

EHAHRD-Net appeals to the Sudan authorities to:

• Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Amir Mohamed Suleiman, Ms. Mashair Abdullah Omer, Ms. Madiha Abdullah, and Dr. Nagib Nagmeldin;

• Put an end to any acts of harassment against them as well as against all Sudanese human rights defenders;

• Comply with Article 39 of the Sudanese Interim National Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and of the media, as well as with Articles 40.1 and 40.2 on freedom of assembly and association;

• More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Sudan.

All Network members are encouraged to write to the Sudanese authorities urging them to observe the recommendations above.

Send appeals to:

1. His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, Presidential Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 783 223
2. His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice-President, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 11 779977 / 771025
3. His Excellency Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, Vice-President, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 77 10 25
4. Mr Mohamed Ali Al-Mardi, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan; Fax: + 249 183 78 07 96
5. Mr Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/External Relations, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 77 93 83
6. Mr. Al Zubeir Beshir Taha, Minister of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Interior, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 77 93 83
7. Dr Yasir Sid Ahmed, Head of the Advisory Council for Human Rights PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 770 883
8. Dr Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha, Advisory Council for Human Rights, Rapporteur, PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 77 08 83
9. Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva, Avenue Blanc 47, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Tel: +41 22 731 26 63, Fax: +41 22 731 26 56, Email: mission.sudan bluewin.ch / mission.sudan ties.itu.int

Statement originated from the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

For further information, please contact

Tumusiime Kabwende Deo
Press Officer
Mobile: +256-712-075721