UN EXPERT DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN DARFUR

UN EXPERT DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN DARFUR

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 27 May (UN Information Service) -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, is deeply concerned about the situation of human rights defenders in the Sudan and particularly those working in the Darfur region. 

In the wake of the conflict affecting the Darfur region, the Special Representative has received information regarding a number of alleged arbitrary arrests and detentions of human rights defenders in connection with their monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in the region.  The Special Representative has also received credible information with regards to the curtailment of the freedom of movement of defenders, in particular, their access to conflict areas.

Ms. Jilani expresses particular concern to the Sudanese authorities with regards to reported harassment against the Sudan Organization against Torture, especially one of its members, Salih Mahmoud, who was reportedly arrested on 1 February 2004 by members of the National Security Agency and is still in detention in the Kober Prison of Khartoum.  It is reported that no official charges have been brought against him.  The Special Representative is concerned that this arbitrary detention may be connected to his human rights activities and, in particular, the provision of free legal aid and legal representation to victims of human rights abuses in the Darfur region.

The Special Representative urges the Sudanese Government to take all necessary measures to ensure the full protection of the rights of human rights defenders in the Sudan in compliance with the rights recognized by the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

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