Sudan: Update to SDN37191.E of 22 August 2001 regarding the Sudan Human Rights Group (SHRG), including its membership, activities and the treatment of its members by authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 8 April 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SDN41390.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sudan: Update to SDN37191.E of 22 August 2001 regarding the Sudan Human Rights Group (SHRG), including its membership, activities and the treatment of its members by authorities, 8 April 2003, SDN41390.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e1538.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
References to the following four Sudan Human Rights Group (SHRG) members—Sati el Haj (PANA 4 Feb. 2002), Gabriel Matur, Ghazi Suliman (Khartoum Monitor 13 Nov. 2002) and Tobe Madot (AFP 20 June 2002)—were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
In a Panafrican News Agency (PANA) article on a campaign against the smuggling of Sudanese children for use as camel riders, Sati el Haj, a lawyer and member of SHRG, reportedly stated that the practice was a "grave violation" of children's rights (4 Feb. 2002).
In support of the rights of non-Muslims, lawyers Ghazi Suliman and Gabriel Matur of SHRG reportedly signed a press release criticizing an order by the Khartoum authorities that called for restaurants to be closed during Ramadan (Khartoum Monitor 13 Nov. 2002).
Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that SHRG member Tobe Madot, who is also a physician and member of the opposition Sudan African National Union (SANU), was arrested by security authorities for, according to his lawyer, "no obvious reason" (AFP 20 June 2002).
Four additional references to SHRG activities were found, including a 6 October 2001 AFP article that reports on a meeting between Ghazi Suliman, the leader of SHRG, and Gerhard Baum, the visiting United Nations special rapporteur on human rights, to discuss human rights developments in Sudan. A 15 November 2001 article by Al-Khartoum reports on a meeting between Ghazi Suliman and the United States peace envoy, Senator John Danforth, to discuss issues concerning peace and human rights in the Sudan, as well as international terrorism and stability in the Great Lakes region. SHRG issued a press release on 23 April 2002 calling for the release of Mahmoud Hashim Ahmed Ali, Abdel Galeel Osman Mohamed Khair and Mahmoud Mohamed (Alsanjak), who had reportedly been arrested by security officers without cause. The Associated Press reported that SHRG, "Sudan's leading human rights group," was calling for the Sudan government to release Omar Abdel Aziz Omar, a medical student who had been arrested following a political rally in December 2002 (21 Dec. 2002).
Additional information on the SHRG, including its membership, activities and the treatment of its members by authorities, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 June 2002. "Sudanese Opposition Figure Arrested." (NEXIS)
_____. 6 October 2001. "Sudanese Rights Group Briefs UN Rapporteur on Situation." (NEXIS)
Al-Khartoum [Khartoum]. 15 November 2001. "Sudan: Human Rights Official Meets US Peace Envoy." (BBC Worldwide Monitoring 17 Nov. 2001/NEXIS)
Associated Press (AP). 21 December 2002. "Human Rights Group Calls for Release of Sudanese Medical Student Arrested for Political Activity." Khartoum Monitor. 13 November 2003. "Sudanese Human Rights Group Condemns Closing of Restaurants During Ramadan." Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 4 February 2002. "Sudanese Authorities Move to Stop Child Smuggling." (Global News Wire/NEXIS)
Sudan Human Rights Group (SHRG). 23 April 2002. "Human Rights Violations." (Press Release No. 9/002) Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
NEXIS
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Sudan Human Rights Group (SHRG).
Internet sites, including:
Africa Confidential
Africa Online
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International (AI)
Arab Human Rights Netcentre
Arab Press Freedom Watch
BBC News Africa
Daily Arabic News
East African Standard
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Integrated Regional International Networks (IRIN)
Khartoum Monitor
Kosti Web Page
Sudan Human Rights Organization (SHRO)
Sudan Update
Sudanese Human Rights Quarterly
Sudan.net
World News Connection (WNC)
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