Sudanese human rights advocates released

Two Sudanese human rights lawyers, Mossaad Mohammed Ali and Adam Mohamed Sharief, who were being detained and harassed by the government since May 15, 2006, have been released, apparently unconditionally.

Thank you for responding to our action alert and sending messages of concern to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer. Undoubtedly your efforts had an impact on the course of events in Darfur.

Ali is coordinator of the Amel Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture, and Sharief serves as a member of the center’s network of lawyers. Located in Nyala, state capital of South Darfur, the Amel Center provides medical treatment, rehabilitation, and legal aid for victims of torture.

Both men were first detained on May 15 and released after 13 hours. They were arrested again on the 16th. Ali was held incommunicado for several days and Sharief was required to report each day for continued interrogation.

The early news had been that both men were being interrogated daily by the Sudanese National Security Agency in Nyala, and were prohibited from working at the center or with its lawyer network. However, UUSC received word today that the government has removed those conditions. According to a colleague at the International Refugee Rights Inititative, Ali was told he no longer had to report to the government agency, and "they would let him know if he was needed again."

UUSC will continue to monitor the situation.

Posted May 23, 2006