11 May 2005

The Arab Commission For Human Rights (ACHR) is deeply alarmed by the chrages leveled  against Dr.  Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a well known Sudanese human rights defender and the Chair of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr, Mudawi and the two SUDO workers,Yasir Salim and Abdallah Taha. 

 Dr. Mudawi was arrested on May 8 while he was preparing for a trip to Ireland to receive an award from the Dublin-based International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. On May 10 Dr. Mudawi and his two colleagues were broughts before the Attorney General in Khartoum and were charged with crimes against the State under Article 53 and 57 of the Penal Code. Article 53 relates to spying and conspiring against the State and carries death penalty, and Article 57 to photographing miltary areas.

 "The Arab Commission For Human Rights considers these charges bogus and urges the Sudanese authorities to put an end to the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and NGOs operating in Sudan if it is to be considered credible in its pursuit for reform," said Abderrahim Sabir, US spokesperson of the Arab Commission for Human Rights, calling on the government of Sudan "to urgently release Dr. Mudawi and his two colleagues and allow the civil society to play its role. "

 Dr. Mudawi and his collegues are under police custody in Khartoum.  Dr. Mudawi was to receive the award in Dublin on May 13.  He was selected for the award by a jury of members of the European parliaments.

 Background 

 Dr Mudawi Ibrahim was recently released after going on a hunger strike on February 19 demanding to be charged or released. Dr. Mudawi was charged with attempting to commit suicide under Article 133 of the Sudanese Penal Code and taken to a hospital, where he was released on bail on March 3. In 2004, Dr. Mudawi spent seven months in prison and was released without any charges.

Contact: Abderrahim Sabir (Currently on a mission to Morocco; to be reached at the following number: +(212)65823407)