Press Release

NOVEMBER 23, 2004

UNNECESSARY HOSTILITIES AGAINST PEACE
URGENT CALL TO RELEASE POLITICAL AND MILITARY DETAINEES

The Sudan Human Rights Organization Cairo Office received urgent information the United Arab Emirates decided to extradite opposition leader Abd al-Aziz Khalid, Member of the National Democratic Alliance Leadership Council, to Khartoum under custody of Sudanese security officers today, Tuesday November 23, 2004.

It is known the Sudan Government previously issued a general amnesty to support the ongoing peace negotiations with the democratic opposition of the country. SHRO-Cairo believes that the extradition of the opposition leader has unnecessarily developed political hostilities that might further antagonize the climates of peace.

With the continuous arrests and the planned detentions of political opponents, irrespective of the non-enforceable amnesty of the president of the republic, the Organization believes that the state security plans will seriously curtail the process of peace.

The Organization asks the Government to apply unconditional amnesty on the case of Mr. Khalid, as well as the other civilian or military detainees (see the shro-cairo most recent report on the unlawful manipulation of these detentions).

To strengthen the peace process, SHRO-Cairo requires the Government to insure the immediate release, safety, freedom of movement and the other human rights and liberties to Mr. Khalid and the other political prisoners without conditions.