Darfur lawyers demand ‘due process’ for detained blogger
The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) has demanded that the responsible authorities follow legal procedures with regard to the arrest of the Darfuri activist and blogger Tajeldin Ahmed Arja or release him immediately. Arja was detained on Tuesday, 24 December, on the orders of President Omar Al Bashir at a meeting of Presidents, Ministers, and Darfuri notables in the Friendship Hall in Khartoum. Arja openly criticised Al Bashir and the President of Chad, Idris Deby, holding them both responsible for the war and killings in Darfur. The head of the DBA, Mohamed Abdallah El Doma, told Radio Dabanga that neither Arja’s family nor his lawyer have not been allowed to visit him. The authorities have not disclosed his whereabouts or what he has been charged with. El Doma explained that “this conduct violates Sudanese laws and the Constitution which give him the right to be subject to explicit legal procedures, as well as to see his family and a lawyer. The DBA has sent a memorandum to the Minister of Justice demanding him to set the procedures right, and enable Arja’s relatives and his lawyer to see him. Arja should be provided a fair trial or be released immediately, El Doma stated. The displaced in Darfur have expressed their denunciation of the arrest of Tajeldin Arja by the Sudanese security forces, demanding his release or a fair trial. The coordinator of the Zalingei camps for the displaced in Central Darfur told Radio Dabanga that what Arja said during the meeting, holding both Presidents responsible for the atrocities in Darfur, is “correct” and “truly represents the opinion of the displaced in Darfur”. “If Arja were to be given a fair trial, the displaced should get the opportunity to bear witness and prove that what he said is correct.” The coalition of Sudanese political forces and civil society organisations in the UK and Ireland, holds Field Marshal Omar Al Bashir and “his security forces” responsible for the safety of journalist and blogger Tajeldin Arja. In a statement, the coalition demanded Arja’s immediate release. It considers Arja’s arrest a violation of international laws and the conventions set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement condemned “the uncivil behaviour of the regime and its repressive agents”. “The arrest of Arja is part of the continuing campaign of oppression, arrests and killings that started on 30 June 1989. The terrorism, violence, gagging of voices, and the confiscation of individual freedoms, confirm that the regime of Al Bashir violated all laws of human rights enshrined in international law, and all international customary laws.” File photo: Detained blogger Tajeldin Ahmed Arja Related: Solidarity Committee demands release of Darfuri blogger (26 December 2013) Darfuri blogger publically arrested for criticising Deby and Al Bashir (25 December 2013)
The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) has demanded that the responsible authorities follow legal procedures with regard to the arrest of the Darfuri activist and blogger Tajeldin Ahmed Arja or release him immediately.
Arja was detained on Tuesday, 24 December, on the orders of President Omar Al Bashir at a meeting of Presidents, Ministers, and Darfuri notables in the Friendship Hall in Khartoum. Arja openly criticised Al Bashir and the President of Chad, Idris Deby, holding them both responsible for the war and killings in Darfur.
The head of the DBA, Mohamed Abdallah El Doma, told Radio Dabanga that neither Arja’s family nor his lawyer have not been allowed to visit him. The authorities have not disclosed his whereabouts or what he has been charged with.
El Doma explained that “this conduct violates Sudanese laws and the Constitution which give him the right to be subject to explicit legal procedures, as well as to see his family and a lawyer. The DBA has sent a memorandum to the Minister of Justice demanding him to set the procedures right, and enable Arja’s relatives and his lawyer to see him. Arja should be provided a fair trial or be released immediately, El Doma stated.
The displaced in Darfur have expressed their denunciation of the arrest of Tajeldin Arja by the Sudanese security forces, demanding his release or a fair trial. The coordinator of the Zalingei camps for the displaced in Central Darfur told Radio Dabanga that what Arja said during the meeting, holding both Presidents responsible for the atrocities in Darfur, is “correct” and “truly represents the opinion of the displaced in Darfur”. “If Arja were to be given a fair trial, the displaced should get the opportunity to bear witness and prove that what he said is correct.”
The coalition of Sudanese political forces and civil society organisations in the UK and Ireland, holds Field Marshal Omar Al Bashir and “his security forces” responsible for the safety of journalist and blogger Tajeldin Arja. In a statement, the coalition demanded Arja’s immediate release. It considers Arja’s arrest a violation of international laws and the conventions set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement condemned “the uncivil behaviour of the regime and its repressive agents”.
“The arrest of Arja is part of the continuing campaign of oppression, arrests and killings that started on 30 June 1989. The terrorism, violence, gagging of voices, and the confiscation of individual freedoms, confirm that the regime of Al Bashir violated all laws of human rights enshrined in international law, and all international customary laws.”
File photo: Detained blogger Tajeldin Ahmed Arja
Related:
Solidarity Committee demands release of Darfuri blogger (26 December 2013)
Darfuri blogger publically arrested for criticising Deby and Al Bashir (25 December 2013)
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