Security service arrests Sudanese Communist Party activist

Sudan -On the 1st of May 2007, the investigative police of the Sudan Railways Corporation (SRC) in Atbara arrested Aiman Tagelsir Bakri (31 years old), a graduate of Wadi Alniel University, working as a office clerk in the SRC in Atbara..

He was arrested by the police on the 1st of May 2007, at 11:00 am, while he was distributing a press release, issued by Sudanese Communist Party- Atbara, on the occasion of the international day of workers.

At 2:00 pm, he was transferred from Police into the National Security and Intelligence Service custody, after the Prosecutor of Atbara advocated that the case is a matter of “national security “.

He was detained and interrogated again by security officers at the security premises in Atbara with regard to his relation with the Communist party and the press release. On the 3 May 2007 he was transferred to the security head quarters in Khartoum and accused of distributing leaflets issued by Sudanese Communist Party. He was released on bail on Monday 7 of May 2007 at 2:00 pm and is currently waiting for trial.

SOAT is gravely concerned that this is the first time, where the Prosecutor recommends that political activists are to be transferred under the authority of the security organs and expresses concern about the arbitrary detention and charges against Aiman Tagelsir Bakri which are inconsistent with international human rights law and standards and constitute a unlawful interference with his right to freedom of expression and association.

SOAT recalls that Article 39 of the Interim Constitution provides for the right to freedom of expression and reminds the Government of Sudan of its obligations under the Covenant on Civil and Political rights, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

SOAT condemns the arbitrary arrest of Aiman Tagelsir Bakri and the unlawful interference with his right to freedom of expression and association and urges the Government of Sudan to:

Respect its constitutional and international obligations in ensuring the effective enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and association free from unlawful interference.

Suspend proceedings against Aiman Tagelsir Bakri in the absence of valid charges.

Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT)

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