Arrest of Darfur Cosortium Advocates in Khartoum: Chidi Odinkalu Reports

On Sunday, 22nd January 2006 around 18hrs Khartoum local time the security forces in Sudan arrested about 30 human rights and pro-democracy activists. They include 22 Sudanese citizens and 8 foreign nationals. The foreign nationals were visiting Sudan as part of the African and international civil society representatives attending the 6th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will take place in Khartoum during the period 23rd – 24th January 2006.

The Sudanese nationals included Mr. Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman, an internationally acclaimed Sudanese lawyer and rights activist and Ms Deirdre Clancy, Co-Director of the International Refugee Rights Initiative and Co-Convenor of the Darfur Consortium. Others arrested included 4 British nationals, 2 Zimbabweans and an Italian activist. They were taken away to the offices of Sudans internal security police where they were interrogated for over 4 hours before being released.

Those arrested were taking part in a civil society consultation organised by the Darfur Consortium and its local partner organisation, the Sudan Social Development Organisation and Sudan Organisation gainst Torture as a civil society contribution to the work of the 6th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government. The Security Police swooped on the final (communique) session of the Consultation, arresting all inside the meeting venue. They took away all documents and laptop computers in the room. Although our colleagues have been released, their documents and computers remain confiscated. The Sudan Government accused the participants at the consultation of “organising an illegal meeting”.

The Government in Khartoum gave prior written approval to the consultation and instructed all its missions around the world in writing to grant entry clearance to all participants invited to the consultation.

The Darfur Consortium is an international coalition co-convened by the Open Society Justice Initiative and the International Refugee Rights Initiative. It comprises about 50 organisations working for the effective justice and civilian protection in Darfur.

I have spoken today with Salih Mahmood. He is in good spirits. I will speak with him and Deirdre again in another 30 minutes. They will be addressing the international press in Khartoum this morning.

Chidi Odinkalu

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