US worried by Amnesty report on Darfur

WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (AFP) — The US government said it was “concerned” by information provided by Amnesty International, which says Sudanese authorities have arrested civilians who speak to foreign officials visiting the troubled Darfur region.

“The US government is concerned by the allegations, and we strongly promote protections for the freedom of speech around the world,” said deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.

“We continue to look into these allegations,” he added.

He said the department had received a copy of the Amnesty International report, which alleges that Darfurians who discussed the situation in Darfur with foreigners were subsequently imprisoned and subject to harassment.

“The Embassy in Khartoum is actively engaged on this issue,” Ereli said.

Amnesty International on August 10 said scores of people have been arrested since the end of June 2004 in various parts of Darfur for talking to foreign government leaders.

Those targeted included people who had spoken to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, to French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, to members of the African Union ceasefire commission and to independent journalists, the group said.