‘Sudan detained at least 17 activists this month’: HRW

Sudan’s security forces have arrested, detained, and interrogated at least 17 opposition activists since early August, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated on Friday.

Most of those detained are affiliated to the Sudanese Congress Party (SCP), which has an active student and youth wing that conducts public rallies and events, HRW said.

Most of them were released after being interrogated, but must report back daily for further questioning. Some of them told HRW they were beaten during their detention.

“Sudan’s national security officials are abusing people just for expressing their political views,” said Daniel Bekele” Africa director for the New York-based human rights watchdog.

“The government should put an end to these tactics, rein-in the national security service and uphold free speech and assembly.”

The detention campaign takes place as Sudanese President Al Bashir (71) is pressing his regime’s opponents to join a national dialogue to address the armed conflicts in Sudan’s peripheries, as well as its ailing economy.

On 20 August, addressing a meeting of the National Dialogue’s general assembly, the Sudanese president announced a two-month ceasefire in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, which became effective on 24 August. He said that he is ready to declare amnesty for armed rebel groups which wish to participate in the Dialogue.

Al Bashir, however, denied the presence of political prisoners in the country. There are only two detainees held for recruiting people for terrorist movements, he said.