Stop the Silencing of Human Rights Defenders in Darfur

Alert Issued: August 18, 2004

Update: Sudanese lawyer Salih Mahmoud Osman was released from Dabak prison on September 4, 2004. He had been detained for over seven months without charges. He was denied visits from his family and other human rights attorneys until July 17, 2004. Human Rights First welcomes his release and thanks all of those who sent letters on behalf of Mr. Osman.

Human Rights First has issued three Defender Alerts in recent months on behalf of human rights defenders in Sudan. The severity of the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sudan makes the work of these human rights advocates more vital than ever. A pattern of the Sudanese government targeting human rights defenders to prevent news about the serious violations of human rights in Darfur from reaching the outside world is emerging.

Human rights lawyer Mr. Aba Zer Ahmed Abu Al Bashir was arrested by security forces on July 24, 2004, while in his office in Nyala in Southern Darfur province in western Sudan. Following his arrest, he had been held incommunicado, and no formal charges had been brought against him. Mr. Al Bashir has reportedly been released from detention.

Other detained human rights advocates include Mr. Salih Mahmoud Osman, a lawyer who is a member of the independent human rights organization the Sudanese Organization Against Torture (SOAT), which provides free legal aid services and document human rights violations. Mr. Salih Mahmoud Osman is still reported to be detained.

In situations of mounting violence and conflict, like that in Darfur, the work of human rights defenders as witnesses to crimes and violations, and in deterring further abuses and defusing conflict is essential. Support human rights defenders in Darfur. Send the letter below to the Sudanese government calling for Mr. Osman's immediate release.

Background

Conflict has escalated in the Darfur region of western Sudan. In recent months, government forces and militias supported by the government, the Janjaweed, have targeted the civilian population for gross violations of human rights that are approaching the dimensions of genocide. Attempts by local human rights defenders to protest against this brutal assault have been ignored or stifled by government authorities.

Mr. Osman's detention without explanation is but one in a series of recent attempts to silence human rights defenders in the Darfur region. For example, Mr. Madawi Ibrahim Adam, chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), an organization which promotes sustainable development and human rights, was arrested on December 28, 2003. He was not charged with a crime until February 11, 2004, at which point he was accused of various violations of the Sudanese penal code. Human Rights First believes that he is being prosecuted for his legitimate activities as a nonviolent advocate of human rights with an internationally recognized organization.

Individuals willing to describe atrocities they have witnessed to international organizations have also been targeted. Mr. Nour Eldin Mohamed Abdel Rahim, the Omda (tribal leader) of Shoba, and Mr. Bahr Eldin Abdallah Rifa, Omda of Jabal Si, were arrested by security officers on May 9, 2004, following their participation in a meeting with local authorities and Red Cross representatives concerning human rights violations in the Kabkabia region. The two have since been released, but their detention lingers as a standing threat to those who expose violations of human rights.

Please help us bring the pressure of world opinion to bear on the Sudanese government to cease their repression of human rights defenders in Darfur. Write to them demanding the release of Mr. Osman and all those detained for defending human rights.

Sample Letter:

Ambassador H.E. Khidir Haroun Ahmed
Embassy of Sudan to the United States
2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
Washington DC, 20008
Fax: (202) 667-2406
E-mail: kahmed@sudanembassy.org

Dear Ambassador H.E. Khidir Haroun Ahmed:

I am seriously troubled by the recent detentions of human rights defenders like Mr. Salih Mahmoud Osman.

Mr. Osman's detention appears to be in reprisal for his legal defense of human rights. The Sudanese government should be promoting the work of such peaceful human rights advocates, not placing them in detention.

It appears that Mr. Osman's detention without explanation is but one in a series of recent attempts to silence human rights defenders in Darfur, Sudan. Mr. Madawi Ibrahim Adam, chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), an organization that promotes sustainable development and human rights, was arrested on December 28, 2003. He is now facing charges. His prosecution appears to be designed to punish him for his lawful, nonviolent activities exposing human rights violations and promoting human rights.

Individuals willing to describe atrocities that they have witnessed to international organizations have also been targeted. Mr. Nour Eldin Mohamed Abdel Rahim, the Omda (tribal leader) of Shoba, and Mr. Bahr Eldin Abdallah Rifa, Omda of Jabal Si, were arrested by security officers on May 9, 2004, following their participation in a meeting with local authorities and Red Cross representatives concerning human rights violations in the Kabkabia region. The two have since been released, but their detention lingers as a standing threat to those who expose violations of human rights.

According to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, all persons have the right "freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms." The important work of Sudanese human rights defenders should be recognized by the government and they should be supported rather than persecuted for their activities.

While Mr. Osman and others remain in detention, I strongly urge you to ensure that they are provided with appropriate and timely medical treatment and that their conditions of detention meet basic international standards.

I will continue to monitor these cases closely. Thank you for your attention to these most serious matters.

Sincerely,