Sudanese authorities step up harassment against Human Rights activists

Khartoum - 27 November
Muhammad Eltilib

Three Sudanese human rights activists have been arrested and severely tortured by the National Security and Intelligence Apparatus. The three activists were arrested on 26 November for alleged leaking of information to the International Criminal Court. Two of the activists, Amir Suliman and Moniem Al-Jack, were released after several hours of tough interrogation and torture; however: it has just been reported that Moniem has been taken back in detention for further interrogations. the third activist, Osman Homidah, is yet to be released.

Three major Human Rights watchdogs criticized the action and called for the immediate release of the activists.

“The Sudanese government is well-known for having little tolerance for criticism,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). “This is part of a wider pattern of trying to silence those who support justice and to suppress information about the human rights situation in Sudan.”

Amnesty International expressed concern for the health conditions of Hummida.

“Osman Hummida suffers from high blood pressure and asthma. Amnesty International fears for his health as reports received indicate that although he has been given access to his medicine, he has not been given access to a doctor while in detention” the UK based rights group said in a statement.