Sudanese rights activist Mudawi Ibrahim facing Death Penalty
SOAT
On 8 May 2005, officers from the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NSA) arrested Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), Mr. Yasir Saleem, a photographer at SUDO’s documentation unit and Mr. Abdullah Taha, Dr. Mudawi’s personal driver who is employed by LAMDA Company, which is owned by Dr. Mudawi. The men were arrested whilst travelling from Dr. Mudawi’s private company offices in Khartoum North, to SUDO offices in Khartoum South.
Initially the detainees were taken to an unknown place. They were later moved to a security detention centre known as ‘Altanfeezi’ (Executive) in Khartoum. On 10 May 2005, the detainees were transferred into Crimes against the State Attorney Custody, in Khartoum and placed under investigation where Dr. Mudawi and Mr. Yasir were charged under articles 53 (Espionage against the Country), a crime which carries the death penalty under the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code and 57 (Entering and Photographing Military Areas and Works).
On 11 May 2005, Mr. Abdallah was released without any official charges against him.
On 12 May 2005, the attorney general removed computers from Dr. Mudawi private company as part of its investigation. Dr. Mudawi and Mr. Yasir remain Attorney General Custody.
Dr. Mudawi was expected to travel to Ireland to receive an inaugural Front Line Award from President McAleese.
BACKGROUND
Dr. Mudawi was previously arrested on 24 January 2005, in Kondoua village, North Kordofan along with his friend Salah Mohammed Abdalrahman. Dr. Mudawi was released after going on a hunger strike and his treatment in Alfaisal clinic, a private hospital in central Khartoum on 12 March 2005. Dr. Mudawi was given a letter from the Human Rights Advisory Council dated 7 March 2005 citing his release date as 3 March 2005.
Salah Mohammed Abdalrahman, who was arrested at the same time as Dr. Mudawi, is a political activist, and a member of the Sudanese Democratic Movement. His whereabouts were unknown until 17 March 2005 when his sister was allowed to visit him.
Dr. Mudawi was previously arrested on 28 December 2003 after visiting Darfur in the course of his work for SUDO. On 11 February 2004, he was charged with crimes against the state, articles 50 (undermining the constitutional system) and 51 (waging war against the State), crimes, which carried the death, sentence under the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code. All charges against him were dismissed on 7 August 2004.
SOAT condemns the continual targeting of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and calls on the Government of Sudan to put an end to the harassment and detention of human rights activists in Sudan and urges the Government of Sudan to:
– Immediately return all properties removed from his private company;
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Yasir Saleem;
– To allow them immediate and unrestricted access to their family and any medical treatment that they may need;
– Order the immediate release of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Yasir Saleem or bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;
– Ensure that Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Yasir Saleem has access to legal advice;
– Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;
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