Statement by Sudanese Women Rights Groups on the Arrest of, Zubaida and Zahra Hagar and the Infant,

Monday June 23, 2008 We, the undersigned women civil society organizations, have grave concerns for the welfare of Zubaida Hagar Sandal, her 9-month-old baby son, Hashim Abdel-Shakur and her sister Zahara Hagar. The two women and the baby were arrested on June 8, 2008, from their house in Khartoum by National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) officers. Our solidarity with Zubaida, her son and her sister comes from our concern for their safety, being held at an unknown location, which is regarded as an enforced disappearance. We are opposed to their continued detention, which is illegal and is against common sense and Sudanese traditions. In addition, we have serious concerns for their well-being as for other female detainees. This is especially alarming in light of recent campaign of arrests in the capital following May 10 events, which has taken place in house-to-house searches, public transport and the streets, targeting individuals from Darfur residing in the capital (Khartoum, Omdurman, Khartoum Bahari).  We recall that Zubaida was in contact with the Committee for the Defense of Individuals Affected by the May 10 events. Zubaida's husband, Abdel-Shakur Hashim was arrested from his office in Omdurman in May 14, 2008. After her husband's arrest and subsequent disappearance Zubaida had issued a press release on behalf of the family outlining their concerns for his safety and calling for his release. When she, her baby son and he sister were taken from their house the NISS took them in the pretext that her husband wanted to see their son. Since then no one has heard anything about their whereabouts. As women groups, we are here emphasizing our commitment and support to Zubaida, her son and her sister Zahra and all the women detained following May 10 events. We also condemn the violence inflicted on thousands of Sudanese women and children from Darfur who have suffered from displacement, rape and other forms of sexual violence as a result of the current conflict.  For these reasons we campaign for Zubaida and her sisters from Darfur to be protected, to have access to justice and to be compensated for their suffering. We are reminding the Sudanese Judicial system and law enforcement authorities of their commitment to Sudan's constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, African Union Protocol and CEDAW. We call upon the authorities to immediately release Zubaida, Zahara and all the women who are detained in secret detention centers, and to allow them to contact their legal representatives and families and to not separate Zubaida from her son. Furthermore, we call on the authorities not to mistreat or torture Zubaida, her baby son and her sister whilst in detention.   We are here demanding the immediate release of Zubaida, her child and Zahra as well as ensuring their safety and the safety of other Sudanese women from Darfur in security forces detention sites suffering the consequences of the crises. We are calling on all women organizations and organizations working on women's rights, to support this press release and to work with national and international organizations to provide support and press the authorities on behalf of Zubaida and others affected by May 10 events.1) Hala Alkarib & Monim Eljak: SIHA Network; 2) Zahara A. Naiem & Khalil Tukras: Women Development organization, Alfasher North Darfur; 3) Karak Myok : DIAR %u2013Rumbek, South Sudan; 4) Dolly Oding: Women Development Organization, Juba; 5) Asha Elkarib: Sudanese Organization for Research and Development (SORD); 6) Limya Aljayle: Women in the Media Association, Khartoum; 7) Mahasin Alabass: Babkir Badri Scientific Association for Women, Khartoum; 8) Neamat Kuku: Khartoum Gender Center, Khartoum; 9) Zeniab Badr Eldin : Almoalem Before All ( Alam), Khartoum; 10) Faisal Albager :Journalists for Human Rights ( JHR); 11) Rashida Al Ansary and Jane Alaw: Al Amel Center for Rehabilitation Victims of Violance, Nayala, South Darfur; 12) Linda Ferdinand : WOTAP Women Network, WAU, South Sudan; 13) Fahima Hashim and Tarig Mustafa :Salmmah Center for Women Training, Khartoum; 14) Madina Dosa: Madina Center for Gender & Development %u2013Nayala, South Darfur; 15) Zeinab Alsawe: Women Empowerment Initiative for Peace -SWEP; 16) Ahalam Naser : Sudan Center for Trade Unions Rights, Khartoum; 17) Madiha Abdulla &Sabah Adam : Alag Media Center; 18) Samia Alhashimi : Mutawenat, Khartoum; 19) Mahasen Abdelgadir: Darfur Lawyers Association. APPEALS TO: Mr Abdel Basit Sabderat Minister of Justice Federal Ministry of Justice, PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: 249 183 770883.Salutation: Dear Minister Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed Federal Ministry of the Interior PO Box 2793, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: 249 1 8377 6554 .Salutation: Dear Minister COPIES TO: Dr Abdel Moneim Osman Taha Rapporteur, Advisory Council for Human Rights, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: 249 183 77 08 83. Mr Babiker Abdulatif Head of the General Prosecution Attorney Bureau for Khartoum State Fax: 249 183 770883.Dr Priscilla Joseph Chair of the Human Rights Committee, National Assembly, Omdurman, Sudan Fax: 249 187 560 950