A United Nations expert has voiced deep concern about the situation of human rights defenders working in the Darfur region of Sudan and urged the country's Government to ensure their protection. Hina Jilani said she had received information regarding "a number of alleged arbitrary arrests and detentions" of people monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in the area. She also cited "credible information" that the freedom of movement of these defenders is being curtailed, particularly their access to conflict areas.