Urgent Appeal

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An Urgent Appeal to the UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees
To stop the deportation of displaced Southern Sudanese in Syria.

Her Excellency -------,
High Commissioner for Refugees,

Your Excellency,

On November 14, 2001, the Syrian authorities, at the behest of the Sudan embassy in Damascus issued an ultimatum to all the Sudanese in Syria that they should obtain resident permits through the embassy or else face deportation to Sudan with effect from December 11th 2001.

As all those distressed and displaced Southern Sudanese in Syria are victims of the Khartoum's brutal war of genocide, they were naturally reluctant to seek assistance from the embassy of the very government which is prosecuting them at home and intent to wiping them out from human existence. In a heinous move
typical of its racist policies at home, the Sudanese embassy encouraged Northern Sudanese to produce documents proving that they are locally employed so that they are entitled to resident permits. Hence, those who produced documents were
indeed granted resident permits.

On the other hand, the Syrian authorities insinuated that those who have jobs, though menial as they may be, might also be granted resident permits. This encouraged a handful of displaced Southern Sudanese to contact their "employers" with the aim of obtaining papers to support their shaken statuses. But to their
dismay, their passports were confiscated with immediate deportation orders stamped on them; as such, what initially appeared to be an ultimatum for all Sudanese in general has clearly unveiled itself as a ploy aimed at the displaced Southern Sudanese and the Nuba people in Syria.

Many Southerners in Syria identify themselves with the armed struggle now being waged by their compatriots in Southern Sudan and the Nuba mountains; they pleaded with the Syrian authorities not to deport them to Sudan. Initially, the Syrian authorities showed some understanding, yet all the same they maintained that those who do not wish to be deported to Sudan should provide UN protection paper or official refugee recognition.

It was under such circumstances that the Southern Sudanese sought assistance and support from the UNHCR office in Damascus. Although this office has been insensitive to the plight of Southern Sudanese, by frequently turning them away
and rejecting their application for refuge and protection, the displaced community felt obliged to seek its assistance since its represents the conscience of the international community.

Accordingly, over 500 displaced converged in front of the UNCR office on December 9th to present their case before the chief of the mission. A delegation of five was then chosen to present and discuss the matter with the Deputy Chief
of the Mission Mr. Adel Yasmeen. Mr. Adil was dismissive, flippant and ordered the delegation to leave his office immediately. When the crowed showed reluctance to leave, he called in the police, alleging that the mission was under attack. Without any questioning, the police hailed tear gases and started
indiscriminately beating the displaced including pregnant women and children.

Four people sustained serious injuries while two women suffered abortions. About 500 (Five hundred) people were arrested. Most women and children were released
later that night, though others maintained to remain in prison, under what authorities termed pure humanitarian considerations. Three days later family guardians and husbands were released. Whilst these forty women, men and children were being released more than 90 (ninety) of their fellows remained in jail to this day. No charges have so far been brought forward against them.

While we deeply deplore the conduct of the UHNCR mission, particularly that of MR. Adil Yasmeen, who has done this for second time, given his unfortunate experience with the Southern Sudanese in Cairo in the past, we appeal to you to intervene and bring an end to the plight of these displaced and distressed
people.

It is common knowledge that the Sudanese government is a rouge regime which has received the most condemnation from the UN Human Rights Commissions for the gross violation of its human rights. Apart from the UN condemnation, President
Bush has mentioned earlier in the year that: "Sudan is human rights disaster area". It is, therefore, inappropriate for the government of Sudan and Syria to send these distressed displaced persons to meet their certain fate.

Find below are the names of the people who are now facing deportation in Syria, and hundreds others are threatened with immediate deportation.

Signed by:

Concerned Southern Sudanese in the Middle East
Concerned Southern Sudanese in the Diaspora

Those in detention are:
List of the detainees

1. Alfred Martin
2. Aban Kimiyae
3. Adam Ahmed
4. Akol Mathyang
5. Alex Angelo
6. Aluk Tom
7. Augustino Legge
8. Amin Naguib
9. Anyar Kur
10. Azhari Aryad
11. Amin Alhaj Muse
12. Awad Shaleh Musa
13. Bakheet Musa Bakheet
14. Benjamin Martin
15. Bell Tor
16. Butrose Hassan
17. Claye Yak
18. Clement Marsello
19. Carlous Albino
20. Charles Sebit
21. Daniel Bol John
22. Deng Garang
23. Dwang Lam
24. Deng Chol
25. Edward Natali
26. Erkulano Gore
27. Garang Deng
28. Gassim Nelson
29. Ghandi Abu-Nar
30. Hassan
31. Henry Legge
32. James Hassan Albama
33. Joseph Akwj
34. Joseph Oliha
35. Joel Doka Daniel
36. John Fataki Kenyi
37. John Oka
38. John Yohana
39. Joseph Charles
40. Jumaa Ladu Wani
41. Juma Sule Sokiri
42. Joseph Daniel
43. Joseph Oswaka
44. John James Ladu
45. Joseph Doka Daniel
46. Joseph Oteng
47. Kaffi
48. Khalid Ibrahim
49. Kudwe Badi
50. Lual Rod Lual
51. Micheal Debi
52. Micheal Sabino Silvio
53. Mursal Jumaa Afrengi
54. Martin Severino
55. Mongulak Kur
56. Majok Majok Majok
57. Micheal Chol Deng
58. Mudethir Saleh Musa
59. Mubarek Mohammed Nasser
60. Mohammed Doka Mohammed
61. Nyara Duku
62. Oliver Peter
63. Peter Hakim Saverino
64. Paulino Lado
65. Paul Augustino Ladu
66. Philip Balentino Rizk
67. Peter Justin
68. Peter Ajak
69. Richard Izaya Paul
70. Ramadan Bangee
71. Rogas John Moses
72. Sabit Emmanul Ladu
73. Santino Santo Noel
74. Selvio Ailsio Laku
75. Simon Gawir
76. Samy Saeed
77. Santino Jaramano
78. Subek John Laku
79. Timatheus Elliman
80. Tongun Muludyang
81. Tom Martin
82. Victor Joseph
83. William Prudensio
84. William Solomon
85. William Fredric
86. Wilson Kenyi
87. Yohana Idris
88. Yasser Hassan Bar
89. Yahiya Abdalla Adam

 

List of the recently released fellows

90. Mr. Sabit Ukide
91. Mr. Kosta
92. Mr. Amin
93. Mr. Peter Napoleon
94. Mr. Wani Emmanuel
95. Mr. Redento
96. Mr. Barlaman James
97. Mrs. Aquilina Ukide
98. Ms. Margret Simon
99. Mrs. Mary Kosta
100. Mrs. Nibol Amin
101. Mrs. Josephine Peter
102. Mrs. Tereaza Wani Emmanuel
103. Mrs. Rajaa Redento
104. Mrs. Akir James
105. Mrs. Margret Suaad + children
106. Mrs. Dominica + children