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Press release : 25/6/2001
AHRLA
condemns the closing down of the office of the Sudanese Organization for Human Rights in Cairo, and announces the initiation of its Program for legal aid provision to refugees The Egyptian government is no longer restricting itself to constant and sustained abuse Egyptian human rights: Arab rights in general are now being violated. In an unprecedented step, Egyptian security forces shut down the office of the Sudanese Organization for Human Rights in Cairo. Activists there were warned against all further work inside the country. No reasons were offered to justify this action, which clearly violates basic international agreements regulating the work of human rights movements and organizations. AHRLA would like to establish that since it began its activities in Cairo in 1991, the Sudanese Organization for Human Rights has been involved in documenting information it receives after first establishing its accuracy and objectivity. It has also been involved in the release of reports and publications that expose the daily violations of human rights that are practiced by the regime of the Islamic Front in Sudan. Through its sustained work in the field it gained the credibility of a large number of international organizations, such as the UNHCR. AHRLA believes this event can only be interpreted in the context of an acceleration in the process of political coordination between both the Cairo and Khartoum regimes. The Association fears this will lead to a decrease in the limited freedom gained through the efforts of the Sudanese masses as well as the civil and political activists of Sudan. It is likewise concerned about the damages that will result from this action and affect the Sudanese refugees and rights activists in Egypt by removing one of the most important channels through which their political and human rights concerns could be voiced. This event coincides with Egypt's hosting the last meeting of the Sudanese National Democratic Opposition. AHRLA appeals to all civil and political activists to put pressure on the Egyptian government to cancel its decision to close down the Sudanese Organization for Human Rights, and announces its decision to start a program of legal aid to refugees in Egypt. This will involve consultations, organizing urgent actions in defense of their legal and human rights situation, as well as visiting those held in police custody or in prison. This initiative comes in the framework of the principles affirmed by the UN Commission of Refugee Affairs. |