Sudan: NPWJ and NRPTT strongly condemn arbitrary arrest of human rights lawyer Dr. Medani and call for his immediate release

 
On Saturday 6 December 2014, Dr Amin Mekki  Medani, a renowned Sudanese human rights activist and President of the Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organisations and a number of other people were arrested in Khartoum by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). The arrests followed their return from Addis Ababa where they had signed the Sudan Call, “a political declaration on the establishment of a state of citizenship and democracy”. The Declaration — the first to bring together opposition forces, political parties and civic organisations after joint talks that lasted more than a year — commits signatories to end wars and conflicts as a priority and to work for the establishment of a democratic, citizenship-based state in Sudan.
 
Statement by Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, Secretary-General of No Peace Without Justice:
 
“No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) and the Nonviolent Radical Party Transnational and Transparty (NRPTT) firmly condemn the arbitrary arrest and ongoing detention of prominent human rights defender Dr. Amin Mekki Medani. We insist that the Sudanese authorities ensure his immediate and unconditional release. We remind those holding him of the need to ensure he and other being held with him are treated humanely and properly, in accordance with international standards.
 
“We stand in solidarity with Dr. Medani and praise his legitimate commitment to work towards the end of the conflicts raging in different regions of Sudan (Darfur, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile) and towards the establishment of fair institutions based on the rule of law. Internationally renowned, he has dedicated his life to the promotion of justice, accountability, human rights and democratic reforms in Sudan.
 
“These arrests are the latest demonstration of the Sudanese government's long-standing repressive policies against those whose only “crime” is to advocate openly and peacefully for meaningful democratic reforms and the respect of human rights in Sudan. It is also a blatant reminder that the Sudanese regime, led by President Omar al-Bashir, who is also subject to an ICC arrest warrant for crimes in Darfur, is not serious about engaging in a dialogue to find peaceful solutions.
 
“NPWJ and NRPTT urge the Sudanese authorities to put an end to all acts of intimidation and threats against human rights advocates and opposition leaders. A truly democratic transition in Sudan will be achieved only if all those who are committed to peaceful and nonviolent dialogue are able to contribute fully to the reform process without fear of reprisals”.
 
 

For further information, please contact Alison Smith (Legal Counsel and Director of the International Criminal Justice Program) on asmith@npwj.org, or Nicola Giovannini (Press & Public Affairs Coordinator) on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32-2-548-3915.