22nd February, 2013
More than 50 Christians have been detained for about two weeks by the Sudanese Government without charge, according to advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
CSW says the group of people, which number at least 55, has no political affiliations and includes church leaders. They say they have been accused of receiving money from foreign countries including Israel.
Andrew Johnston, CSW’s advocacy director, says the organisation is "deeply concerned" at the arrests and news of an escalating crackdown on Christians in Sudan.
"We urge the Sudanese government to release these prisoners and end its campaign of harassment against the Christian community," he says. "We also urge the government once again to undertake broad consultations during the drafting of the new constitution and to ensure that it recognises the rights of all Sudanese citizens, to freedom of religion or belief, as outlined in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sudan is a signatory.”
CSW say the arrests are the latest development in a "wave of repression" that began towards the end of last year targeting Christians working in voluntary organisations. It has reportedly resulted in the deportations of around 100 foreign workers and a number of Sudanese Christians have been detained for questioning by the security services.
CSW add that according to local reports, the repression was preceded by a media campaign against “Christianisation”, and has been accompanied by the closure of a number of Christian-affiliated schools, colleges and training centres.
– DAVID ADAMS
