Chairwoman Hautala remains concerned over continued failure by the Sudanese authorities to disclose the whereabouts and charges against those remaining in detention following arrests after demonstrations in Khartoum on 30th of January and 2nd of February. [:]While some have been released since, many remain unaccounted for. Alarm remains over reports that they might be in risk of torture.

There are several reports over sexual violations of female detainees and difficulties for families to have access to those in detention. Those released have reported repeated cases of torture. Chairwoman calls for the authorities to disclose information concerning the cases of Abdelazim Mohamed Ahmed, Louis Awil Weriak, Mohamed Ibrahim, Ali Al Naeem and others.

Chairwoman calls for the Sudanese authorities to ensure human treatment of all detained persons and release or charge them with recognizably criminal offences without undue delay. If is equally imperative that all allegations of torture and sexual harassment be effectively investigated.

It appears that the demonstrations in Sudan have grown with the number of the people on the streets in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere. Simultaneously, the reports over repressive counter-measures have peaked.

In time of tumult it is most important that authorities uphold the international human rights standards, such as UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and respect related international instruments ratified by them, in Sudan’s case the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in particular, she emphasised.