Detention, health of Darfuri blogger ‘concerns’ family

Activist and blogger Tajeldin Ahmed Arja has been detained for nearly a month at a private detention in Kafouri area in Khartoum, where his family or lawyer are not allowed to visit. His family is concerned for his health or that he might be tortured and ill-treated by members of the security forces. A number of activists has complained of a lack of sufficient support and solidarity for Arja from the people of Sudan in general, and Darfuri in particular. They believe that by pressuring the authorities and reporting to human rights and humanitarian organisations, Arja’s situation may improve or he may be released, as has happened with Mohamed Hassan El Bushi of the Baath Party and other people. Arja confronted the Sudanese and the Chadian Presidents at a meeting in Khartoum with Ministers and Darfuri notables. He described both of them as liars and responsible for the incidents in Darfur, after which he was detained. Until now, the authorities did not disclose the whereabouts of the detained activist. The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) has demanded that the responsible authorities follow legal procedures or release Arja immediately. File photoRelated:Darfur lawyers demand ‘due process’ for detained blogger (2 January 2014)Sudan’s opposition rejects lifting of fuel subsidy (24 September 2013)