S V T G
Sudanese Victims of Torture Group

PRESS RELEASE: Thursday 11 October 2001

CRACKDOWN ON CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS

The Sudanese security authorities have launched a new campaign against organisations of civil society. During the course of the past two days the following organisations have been targeted:

1- Abduulkareem Margani Cultural Centre (AMCC).
2- Centre for Sudanese Studies (CSS).
3- Gender Centre.
4- Amal Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Physical and Mental Trauma.
5- Khartoum centre for human rights studies.

Dr. Hydar Ibrahim Ali, Director of CSS, was summoned to the security forces headquarters on Tuesday 09/10/01. He was interrogated about the activities of the Centre, in particular the public symposium which was held on Sunday 07/10/01 and was ordered to suspend all the Centre’s activities until further notice. Dr. Ali’s was denied the right to express his views and arguments.

CSS was set up by Dr. Haydar Ibrahim in 1991in AlRabat, Morocco and moved its activities to Cairo in 1996. In June 2001 The Centre moved to Sudan after the Sudanese Authorities gives him permission to operate from inside Sudan. The Centre is working for the promotions of the Sudanese, literature, and to encourage young Sudanese intellectuals to publish their work. In this respect, the Centre has produced many publications covering a variety of Sudanese intellectual and cultural subjects. It has also organised various cultural and artistic events, intellectuals workshops and symposiums.

The Centre had planned to organise a symposium on Sudanese urban songs and music, to be addressed by Dr Murtada el Gali. However, the security forces ordered Dr Ali not to allow this or any other events to take place,

Mr. Hydar Al-halab, Director of Abdulkareem Margani Cultural Centre, was also summoned on the same day, together with the Director of the Gender Centre.
AMCC was set up in 1997. It is primarily involved in cultural activities; it has a public library with free access for members of the public and provides education and training and promotes the development of the creative and artistic skills of displaced children.

The Gender Centre was established in April 1997, and registered with the Attorney General as a consultancy group, number 36429. It provides education training and research for women and its mission is raising the awareness of Sudanese woman about their rights and addressing their issues of concern. The Centre’s mission developed according to the social changes occurring in Sudan. Its long-term aim is the empowerment of Sudanese woman at different levels to advocate and lobby for their shared problems.

Both Centres were ordered to completely suspend their activities until further notice.

Dr. Nagib Nagm Eldin, Director of the Amal Centre , was summoned to the security forces headquarters on Wednesday 10/10/01 and Thursday 11/10/01. He was interrogated about the Centre’s activities by the security officers, who informed him that the Centre would be under permanent surveillance for a period of two months, after which they will decide about its future.

The Amal Centre was established by in December 2000 and provides free medical treatment and counselling services to victims of torture and physical violence. It works in partnership with SVTG and is a member of the IRCT network (International Rehabilitation Council for victims of Torture). Dr. Nagib was arrested in 10 March 2001, the Amal Centre was shutdown and its equipment were confiscated by the security. After a successful worldwide campaign Dr. Nagib was released in 27 March 2001, the equipment were return to Amal, centre in June 2001.

Mr. Faisal Al-bagir, 26/09/2001 an SVTG member of staff and a member of staff at the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights Studies, was summoned to the security forces headquarters last week and questioned about his demands that the security forces return equipment, which they had confiscated during his arrest last June. The equipment includes a fax, computer and motorcycle. The Centre provides human rights education and training.

Both the Amal Centres and the Khartoum Centre were told by security officers that they will be under continued surveillance.

SVTG considers the new campaign against the organisations of civil society to be a setback from the positive measures that had been taken by the government of the Sudan during the last few months, which had allowed such organisations to work on legal bases inside the country.

The government of the Sudan has repeatedly resorted to repressive measures including violations of fundamental rights, when both individuals and civil society organisations have expressed criticism regarding government policies or engaged in activities, which might appear controversial to the government. Such measures represent continued repression of freedom of expression and is against many the Government of Sudan’s international commitments.

SVTG believes that these actions are aimed at spreading fear and preventing individuals or groups from expressing their beliefs and opinions.

SVTG calls upon the Sudanese government to:

Put an end to the harassment of civil society organisations and individuals by security forces.

Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

SVTG is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation, for further details on this press release or any other information please contact;
The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Rd
London NW6 5LF
UK
Tel: +44-207 6258055
Email: [email protected]