Darfur Bar, REDRESS call for release of detainees

The Darfur Bar Association condemned in the strongest terms the detention of the prominent lawyers Faroug Abu Eisa, Dr Amin Mekki Madani, and Dr Farah El Agar by Sudanese Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) officers on Saturday. A day after their return from Addis Ababa, Abu Eisa, head of the National Consensus Forces (NCF, a coalition of opposition parties), Madani, chairman of the Civil Society Initiative, and El Agar, legal consultant of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, were detained by agents of the Sudanese security apparatus inside their homes in Khartoum on Saturday. Abu Eisa and Madani had signed the Sudan Appeal in the Ethiopian capital on 3 December. The allied civil society, political, and armed forces agreed in this political communiqué to cooperate to eliminate the one-party system in Sudan, and rebuild the country on a democratic basis. In a press statement released today (Tuesday), the Darfur Bar Association (DRA) denounced the arbitrary detention of Abu Eisa (81), former secretary-general of the Union of Arab Lawyers, and Dr Madani (75), who is also president of the Alliance of Democratic Lawyers in Sudan, and El Agar, activist and human rights defender.“A document like Sudan Appeal, calling for an end to the wars in the country, should receive broad support from all peace-loving parties,” the statement said. The DRA called for solidarity with the detainees, and demanded from the NISS to disclose the premises where they are being held. “The security apparatus has to allow their relatives and their lawyers to visit them. They also have the right to receive the required medication,” the statement stressed. The Darfur lawyers urged the political detainees’ immediate release, warning that “such arbitrary detentions increase the tension in the country, encourages the spread of a culture of violence, and deepens the country’s problems and crises”. Human rights In a press release issued today, the London-based human rights organisation REDRESS, stated that the organisation “and many other individuals and organisations around the world are extremely concerned by the continuing secret detention of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani”. “Dr. Medani embodies a strong commitment to human rights, humanitarianism and the rule of law,” REDRESS states. “In his remarkable career, he has combined academic scholarship with taking up high level positions with a range of different national and international institutions. This includes the judiciary in Sudan, the democratic transitional government of Sudan, as cabinet minister for peace, reconciliation and elections, and the United Nations.  “In his work as lawyer and human rights defender, Dr. Medani has represented victims of violations and has persistently spoken out against abuse of power. He has also steadfastly advocated democratic transformation leading to greater respect for human rights. Many lawyers, human rights defenders and organisations have benefited greatly from his experience, insights, support and generosity. This includes REDRESS in our work with Dr. Medani on the prohibition of torture, justice and accountability for human rights violations, and criminal law reform in Sudan.” File photo: Dr Amin Mekki Madani (REDRESS) Related:Sudan Revolutionary Front, Dialogue Committee condemn detentions (8 December 2014) Sudan’s opposition forces condemn detention of their leaders (7 December 2014) Two Sudan Appeal signatories, SPLM-N official detained (7 December 2014) ‘Sudan Appeal fait accompli for Khartoum regime’: rebel leader (4 December 2014)