Urgent – Sudan Arbitrary Arrests of Darfur Citizens - Arab Program for Human Rights Activist

Cairo May 22st, 2008

Urgent – Sudan

Arbitrary Arrests of Darfur Citizens



The Arab Coalition for Darfur is concernedly following up news coming from Sudan following the events of the 10th of May whereby the Sudanese Government adopted an arbitrary and haphazard arrest mechanism of Darfurians in all regions of the country. On the 16th of May, "Suba" was attached by 8 armored vehicles whereby 30 citizens were arrested and taken to an unknown location. On the same day forces headed to Haj Youssef region and six members of Al Fur Tribe were arrested. In the village of "Al Kiryab" 20 Darfurians were also arrested on May 12th. As in Al Khartoum, 20 Darfurians were arrested during the period of 12-15 of May.



On the other hand, the Arab Coalition For Darfur is also following up the fighting that erupted between the Sudanese Government and forces of Sudan Liberation Army around the area of Ebi, which is rich in oil, against the background of not putting in place clear lines that have not been agreed upon in all peace agreements that were signed between the central government and Southern Sudan. This has created a new pocket of refugees as a result of the armed struggle, and the issuance of orders to relief workers to evacuate the region, which entails a new humane catastrophe. This situation necessitates prompt humane and legal intervention so as this situation does not develop into a chronic crisis as is in the case of Darfur.



The Arab Coalition For Darfur condemns the conduct of the Sudanese security forces pertaining to the citizens of Darfur. It also reaffirms that arbitrary and haphazard arrests of Darfurians, in particular, is considered a clear and a flagrant violation of a number of clauses and articles of the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights. This Convention should be implemented in Sudan against the background of the Sudanese Government being a consignee, in particular article 9 that prohibits arbitrary arrests and secures the right of personal security; as well as article 26 that prohibits discrimination and upholds equality in front of the law in addition to enjoying its protection. This is not secured by the Sudanese authorities for the Darfurians, and it consistently violates and ignores it. Moreover, we should not forget what the inhabitants of this province suffer from armed struggle that the citizens are victims of for no reason.

The Arab Coalition For Darfur calls upon the Sudanese Government to respect its international commitments through its respect of international agreements and conventions that is part of; especially those related to human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this respect it has to release the arrested Darfurians that were apprehended during the period of May 12-15 immediately and without any restrictions. The Sudanese Authorities have to solve the crisis of Darfur on all levels, political, legal and economic in addition to the provision of the minimum level of legal protection until an effective and a fundamental solution is reached for this crisis.



The Arab coalition For darfur beseeches all international, Arab and local organizations to express solidarity with the Darfurians and calls upon all of the necessity to form a fact finding committee that would examine the latest events in Darfur in an attempt to reach a peaceful solution for this crisis.



Write to the Sudanese Vice President:



Mr. Ali Othman Mohammad Taha, People's Palace, P.O.Box 281 Khartoum – Sudan

Fax: +249 183 771651/ 779977/ 780796



(Kindly write on the fax the following sentence: Attention the Sudanese Vice President)

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