Sudan opposition leaders’ detention lasts

The arrested four leading figures of the Sudanese opposition umbrella NCF remain in detention in Sudan's capital after two days. Their lawyer said that they were summoned as part of the government's campaign against the emerging of more protests.

National Consensus Forces leaders Siddig Yousef, Mohamed Diaeldin, Tarig Abdelmageed and Munzer Abu El Maali were summoned to the offices of the security service on Wednesday and have been detained until today.

Saleh Mahmoud, their lawyer has demanded their immediate release or taking them to trial. He told Radio Dabanga that the arrest of the leaders “comes in the framework of mass arrests, especially after the increases in the prices of goods and services”.

Other opposition members, including of the Sudanese Congress Party, students and protesters in Sudan have also been detained in the past two weeks. “Demonstrations against the government's policies are a constitutional right, guaranteed by law,” stressed Mahmoud, who is a winner of the international Sakharov Prize for individuals and groups who defend human rights.

The lawyer expressed concern that the detainees might be subjected to ill-treatment. “If there are crimes or charges against them, they should be charged and brought to trial instead of their detention which completely contradicts the provisions of the Sudanese Constitution and international covenants.”

The Confederation of the Sudanese Civil Society Organisations has condemned the constant arrests, prosecutions, summons and filing of criminal complaints against those who publicly rejected the recent economic measures.

'Anyone found guilty of violations against citizens, should be prosecuted.'

The Confederation said in a press statement that the riot police and security service's policy of beating activists “reflects the abuse of power by the NISS under the huge impunity they enjoy and the absence of judicial institutions that monitor or review their decisions”.

The group hopes that the Ministry of Justice and the National Parliament will conduct a thorough investigation into the violations against citizens, and the findings to be published.