Vigil for detained and dismissed Sudanese students in Khartoum

A vigil was held in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Wednesday, attended by family, friends, colleagues, and lecturers of students who have been detained or dismissed after widespread student protests over the past month.

The protest vigil was organised in front of the University of Khartoum and the Ministry of Higher Education. The organisers handed a memorandum to the Chancellor of the University, as well as the Minister, demanding the return and release of their sons and daughters to study immediately.

Attendees included professors, lawyers, the preparatory committee for university graduates, and alumni.

Zainab Badruldin, the mother of one of the detained students, said that they asked the Chancellor of the University of Khartoum to return and release their dismissed sons and daughters who have not been charged.

She added that their sons and daughters are still kept in detention by the security authorities who denied the families visiting rights through an official written letter.

Adila El Zebag, the President of the Women’s Union described the arrest and detention of female students by the security services as “opaque” as they are still held in detention and their families have not been allowed to visit them.

She confirmed the Women’s Union’s solidarity with all detainees and students until they are released.

Students and activists from Darfur have appealed to the international community and human rights organisations to intervene for the immediate release of the detained students and held the government responsible for their safety, this along with demanding the return of the dismissed to study.

Torture

A Darfuri student activist told Radio Dabanga that there are nine Darfuri student detainees, whose relatives have been denied visits to them.

He expressed concern that they might be subjected to physical and psychological torture, racism and abuse. He pointed to previous cases in which the Darfuri students have been subjected to racial discrimination.

He explained in an interview with Radio Dabanga that most of the Darfuri student detainees are from the University of Khartoum students’ association, apart from a student from Omdurman Ahliya University and another from El Nilein University.

He said the damage the Darfuri students have suffered because of the repeated closure of the students’ dormitories by Student Support Fund, and that they could not travel to their families because of their financial situation.

Dafur Bar Association

He condemned the security services targeting houses rented by Darfuri students in various districts of Khartoum.

The Darfur students complained of the Darfur Regional Authority and the universities’ non-commitment to the agreements stipulating the exemption of Darfuri students from tuition fees.

A student leader in the Darfuri Students’ Associations said that they are coordinating with the Darfur Bar Association so as to exert legal efforts for the release of Darfuri students detained.