Wednesday 18 April, 2001

SVTG has received confirmed information that 54 people were arrested on 10 April, 2001 in Green Square following the cancellation of an Easter ceremony on April 10.

More than 50 Christian protesters - almost all from the predominantly Christian south - convicted of taking part in the demonstration against the government order were beaten. The

Easter celebrations had been planned for 10-14 April, and agreed to by the government which had cleared all the necessary arrangement. However, the day before the commencement of the Celebration -- church leaders were notified by officials that the permit to use Green Square had suddenly been withdrawn.

The government justified these actions as necessary due to threats received from Islamic extremists, that if the celebrations went ahead there would be casualties, and rather than pursuing the extremists, chose to repress the activities of the Christians. The organisers of the even had also received threats that speakers would be killed if the meetings went ahead. Government officials cited ‘Security reasons’ as the official explanation.

Due to the short notice of the order the organisers were unable to contact speakers or participants. Hundreds of thousands of people, arrived the next day to attend the first of the Easter Celebration gatherings, where they were forcibly turned away by police. This led to a collision with riot police who used tear gas and life bullets, injuring more than 100 people: of these, 3 are in a critical condition and a further 3 are missing.

Those 54 people who were arrested were tried before the Criminal Court, central Khartoum. Among them were 6 women who were sentenced to 15 lashes, 3 juveniles sentenced to 20 lashes.

The women have been named as:

Lilyan Rupael, 21

Rafa Moga Sebit, 20

Lucia Masinmo, 22

Amau Dau, 23

Nancy Mikadi, 22

Martina Kosta, 23

Two of the boys have been named as:

Deng Chir Deng, 16

Tari Aeos, 14

The remaining 45 were sentenced to 20 days imprisonment and have been named as:

Harry Darius Ladu, 25
John David Laui, 24
Dimo weak Weak, 22

Kuwi Nyang Yor, 23
Asiel Awak, 17
Deng Garang Deng, 20

Stephen Joseph Ladu, 20
Joseph Tong, 19
Arfaf Ogala Gilo, 24

John Jawa Mading, 19
Ali Ateek Aging, 23
Taib Khalil Leng, 27

Maleek Kelual, 18
Mathew Kwait Chol, 20
Simon Nor Arob, 30

Odial James, 22
Simon Lambang Char, 20
Peter Manang Kuok, 23

Danki Johnson, 26
Simon Kong Jook, 25
Anderia Gordon Guok, 23

Chol Ayak Yan, 17
Emmanual Joshua Adiang, 22
Alor Mayuol Marila,

Anthony Peter Deng, 25
Maok Lowranco Wat, 22
Bulis Akot Dut, 20

Osman Omdom, 30
Wadiso Tut Nid, 20
Michael Rout Biel, 16

John Aban Maris, 26
Amos Garkiek Larn, 23
Ambrose Sebit Nicoroma, 47

Jima Gatluak Kong, 23
Kuol Manial Kuol, 22
Peter Patato West, 22

Simon Duop Jacob, 20
Charles Mall Gatdet, 23
Manyuir Pedit Manyuir, 31

James Kong Tiang, 20
Jeremiah Joseph Meti, 20
Edward Andrew Jami, 23

Paolino Aben Deng, 25
Santino Majuet Ayuel, 26
Adward Andres Laku, 25

On 11 April 2001, Christians gathered at All Saints Cathedral (street 1) to pray and then proceeded to the compound of the Olympic Sports Centre adjacent to the Cathedral in which a conference on Evangelism was being performed. Again, they were attacked by the police who attacked the participants with tear gas and fired live rounds at the protestors. Many people were injured, 5 of them critically and one youth had his right hand amputated. Approximately 100 demonstrators were taken into custody.

Alfred Taban, chairman of the board of Sudan's main English daily, 'Khartoum Monitor' and a reporter for Reuters and the British Broadcasting Corporation, was also arrested and detained on April 11 after he tried to attend a news conference by church leaders in Khartoum in protest against the arrests of the christians from Green Square. No charges have been brought against Taban. Other people, including another local journalist, who were detained at the same time have been released. His whereabouts was kept from his family. Taban, a Christian, was detained for several months in 1990 for criticising the government of President Bashir.

SVTG has received confirmed information that Taban was released yesterday, Tuesday 17 April, 2001, at about 3:30pm. He was not tortured but he was not allowed to change his clothes for 7 days. He spent the first few hours in the security office in Khartoum before being transferred on the same day to Kober prison. He was not interrogated at any time during his detention.

SVTG considers these actions by the government continued repression of freedom of expression and is against many the Government of Sudan’s international commitments. The incident violates the binding provisions of many international agreements on human rights. SVTG recalls that Sudan is a state party to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which obliges state parties to protect freedom of expression and the freedom of belief and conscience. SVTG believes that these actions are aimed at spreading fear and preventing religious groups from expressing their beliefs and opinions and carrying out their religious practises. Such action will encourage religious intolerance.

SVTG calls upon individual governments and the International Community to exert pressure on the Government of Sudan to;

i. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the detainees and all detainees in Sudan.

ii. Put an end to the harassment of Christians by security forces.

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

SVTG is international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SVTG information, please contact us:

SVTG

The Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Road

London NW6 5LF

Tel: 020 7625 8055

Fax: 020 7372 2656

E-mail:[email protected]