Sudan security violates the constitutional rights of SLA negotiator

September 30, 2006 — The Sudan Human Rights Organization Cairo Office received reliable information that the Sudanese national Abulgasim Ahmed Abulgasim, a member of the Sudan Liberation Army’s (SLA) negotiating team in the Abuja peace talks on Darfur, had been deported by Saudi authorities from Jeddah to Khartoum, where he was re-apprehended on arrival by the State Security Department on Thursday, September the 28th, 2006.

The Saudi authorities had not informed the SLA peace negotiating member of the reason of the arrest or deportation, despite his expatriation over two decades in the Kingdom. The arrest, immediate deportation, and security reception at the Khartoum Airport entailed serious violations of the internationally recognized right of a deported person to enjoy legal consultation, appeal, and personal safety above all.

The Organization asks the GONU authorities to release Abulgasim Ahmed immediately from jail, guarantee his constitutional right to move freely inside the country, as well as his right to appeal and to press for legal compensation for all the damages incurred by his sudden arrest and deportation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sudan.

SHRO-Cairo reiterates grave concerns about the abusive performance of the State Security Department, which fuels the hostilities and the warring climates between GONU and the rebel groups of Darfur, and the repressive measures that suppress unlawfully the constitutional activities of the civil society and political groups.

Following the popular unrest that demonstrated lately against government’s policies in both interior and foreign affairs, the State Security Department has been excessively acting as a worst violator of the Interim Constitution, which prohibits clearly the unlawful apprehension, abduction, or incarceration of citizens.

It is time for GONU to take effective measures to end the Security unlawfulness towards the civil and political rights of citizens.