Sudanese Human Rights Defenders Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Salah
Mohammed Abu Alrahman Arrested

Front Line Defenders (http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/) is concerned for the safety of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, human rights defender and Director of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), and Salah Mohammed Abu Alrahman, a volunteer with SUDO.

According to the information received, Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Salah Mohammed Abu Alrahman were arrested in a small village called Kondoua (North Kordufan) on 24 January 2005. The men have allegedly been arrested for interrogation by the national security forces; they were reportedly being held at the security headquarter in Umrouaba city but have been transferred to Al Obeid, the capital of North Kurdofan State. At present, neither the family of Salah Mohammed Abu Alrahman nor that of Dr. Mudawi have been informed as to the purpose of the arrest.

Front Line fears that the arrest of Dr. Mudawi represents a renewed attempt on behalf of the security forces to persecute him and prevent him from carrying out his human rights activities. Dr. Mudawi spent seven months in police custody in 2004, having been charged, in connection with his human rights work, of committing offences against the state. Following the hearing of his trial on 7 August 2004, all charges against Dr. Mudawi were dropped and he was released.

Front Line is calling for the immediate release of both human rights defenders.