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August 15, 2004 

Sudan: Government arrests people for 'talking to foreigners'

Amnesty International has called on the Sudanese government to release immediately and unconditionally scores of people ho have recently been arrested in Darfur for reportedly talking to journalists and members of foreign governmen| delegations about the human rights crisis in Darfur. Many are believed to be held incommunicado and are at risk of torture.

15 men were reportedly arrested following the visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Abu Shawq camp near al-Fasher on 30 June, and five men were arrested at the same camp after a visit by a delegation from the French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier on 27 July. UK foreign minister Jack Straw is to visit Darfur on 23 August.

Other displaced people have been arrested after talking to members of the African Union Cease-fire Commission which was sent to Darfur in June to monitor April's fragile cease-fire. The Cease-fire Commission has apparently tried to visit those arrested but has not been allowed to see them.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said "The Sudanese government should give assurances that none of those arrested will be tortured or ill-treated while in detention and that Sudanese people can speak freely about Darfur without fear of reprisals." In North Darfur At least 47 people reportedly arrested between 26 June and 3 August by the security services or the Sudanese army mostly after speaking to members of foreign delegations. The need for human rights access, monitoring and reporting remains ever more crucial in Darfur. Amnesty International calls for an immediate and unimpeded access to all areas and people of Darfur, including detention centres, for lawyers, cease-fire obser~ers, human rights monitors, h}manitarian workmrs and journalist{.

Source : Amnesty International UK