Human Rights Watch complains of detentions

Human Rights Watch said that there was deep concern over the detention without trial of eight opposition political activists, a lawyer, and a human rights activist in Sudan. In a letter sent to newly sworn-in President Umar al-Bashir, the US-based human rights organisation asked that the detainees be formally charged or released immediately. "In the event that any of these individuals are reasonably suspected of criminal acts, we urge you to try them promptly according to international standards of fair trial."

The eight detainees were imprisoned on 6 December when government security forces broke up a gathering of leaders of political parties, and expelled an American diplomat who was attending the meeting. Those arrested were accused of plotting to overthrow the government. After signing a protest sent to the Ministry of Justice and promising to defend those arrested, a lawyer and human rights activist were then also detained. The detainees are reportedly kept in solitary confinement in Kober prison, Khartoum, Human Rights Watch said.