DARFURI ACTIVISTS AGAIN ARRESTED IN KHARTOUM

For immediate release Contact: Mohamed Yahya

Falls Church, VA Tel: 0+1-434-409-9638

November 5, 2010


DARFURI ACTIVISTS AGAIN ARRESTED IN KHARTOUM


Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is deeply disturbed by the recent actions of Sudanese President Al-bashir and his government's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). It was reported to Damanga leaders that more than nine (9) Darfuri human rights activists, lawyers and civilians were targeted on October 30 and November, 1, 2010 without any clear or justifiable reason for the arrests. According to several sources in contact with Damanga, these innocent people are believed to have been taken to unknown “ghost houses” of the NISS to face torture, isolation and humiliation. Sources, which include witnesses and families of the arrested, added that they are not allowed to ask where their loved ones are being held and in fact the Sudanese authorities and NISS officials deny any knowledge of or connection with the arrests, claiming the reports are false.

Names of several (not all) of the arrested individuals were released by family members:

1) Ms. Manal Mohammad Adam

2) Ms. Aziza Ali Idriss

3) Ms. Aisha Sardo Sherif

4) Mr. Abulgasim Ala' adin

5) Mr. Zakaria Yagoub

6) Mr. Abderhaman Mohammad Al-gasim, a lawyer and member of the Darfur Bar Association and of the Human Rights and Advocacy Network for Democracy (HAND)

7) Mr. Dirar Adam Dirar, an administration officer at HAND

8) Mr. Abderahman Adam Abderahman, a HAND deputy director according to friends

Most of the individuals listed above were said to have been arrested by the NISS on the evening of October 30, 2010, along with dozens of other unknown and innocent Darfuris. The family members and friends of these victims were terribly shocked by the sudden disappearance of their loved ones. They have been left wondering about their location, well-being and fate.

Several sources say that this new round of arbitrary arrests is indicative of the tensions that have arisen in the last few months due to the upcoming southern Sudanese referendum. It has been reported that the Sudanese government is losing popularity leading up to the referendum, even among its’ long-time supporters. The targeted arrests are believed to be an attempt by government officials to remind the Sudanese people of its muscle power and control over them.

Damanga is very concerned about the dire situation in Sudan, especially in Darfur where no members of the local or international media are present to report the daily tragedies that overwhelm this region. Damanga strongly condemns these aggressive actions by the Al-bashir regime, including the NISS. We ask the United Nations, United States and the entire international community to immediately take action to stop the genocide long under way in Darfur and the rest of Sudan, and to bring President Al-bashir and his cohorts, all of whom are suspected of committing heinous crimes, to account in front of the International Criminal Court before it is too late.

#########
About Damanga: Through non-partisan research, analysis and public education, Damanga promotes the human rights of the people of Darfur, Sudan and elsewhere in the world. Damanga works toward its objectives through publication on our web site of non-partisan research and analysis and presentations based on this research and analysis. Damanga makes these presentations at academic institutions, faith-based groups, human rights events and responds to invitations from concerned individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, Damanga seeks to protect the people of Sudan whose lives have been violated and marginalized because of their ethnicity, religion, gender, culture or language. By creating and maintaining a link between the oppressed people of Darfur and Western organizations, governments, and the media, Damanga hopes to coordinate a movement to end the genocide in Darfur, stop the oppression, and to establish the foundations of democracy.

اطلقو سراح نشطاء حقوق الانسان

up

ليبقى عاليا.

up