Lawyers warn Sudan president against ‘discrimination’

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) welcomed the “unconditional amnesty” issued by President Omar Al Bashir for the release of “all political prisoners”.  However, it warned that confining the decision to the elites would not address the national crisis but rather “devoid it of its public value”. “Releasing only political elites can be considered a form of discrimination and lack of recognition of political activities of the social periphery. It would also deepen the feeling of discrimination and of the feeling of political and social injustice which led Sudan to its devastating massive disputes and regional wars”, DBA said in a statement.The lawyers’ group demanded the president’s decision to be “comprehensively” executed. This entails the release of 33 women from the Nuba Mountains, including Khadega Mohamed Badur Kuku who reportedly sustains a back injury.The women are being held at a prison in El Obeid, North Kordofan, and are accused of supporting the rebel group Sudan People Liberation Army –North (SPLA-N).DBA also demanded the release of the Darfurian student Mohamed Osman Hamed “who is still suffering in a detention center of the security services in Khartoum”.Earlier this month President Bashir ordered the release of all political prisoners in detention centers across Sudan.He added his government is committed to inclusive dialogue with all groups, including with those that have taken up arms against his regime.Radio Tamazuj reported that El Obeid prison authorities transferred 13 female detainees to Kadugli last Sunday in preparation for their release.  Meanwhile, 18 other female detainees continue to be held in El-Obeid.File photo: President Omar Al Bashir Related:Sudan opposition sceptic about Bashir’s calls for dialogue, prisoners release (3 April 2013)Woman detainee leaves hospital back to prison in Sudan (11 March 2013)