For the first time in thirteen years, the human rights group Amnesty International has sent an official mission to Sudan. The mission met with government officials, non-governmental organizations, human rights activists, prisoners and others.
Amnesty’s Africa program director, Andrew Anderson, says this indicates a growing openness in Sudan following the start of the peace process. However, he says the group is still concerned about “the forced recruitment of children, unfair trials and the displacement of civilians by all sides in the conflict.”
He says, “Detaining students, community leaders or political opponents in incommunicado detention for periods of up to nine months and then releasing them without charge or trial is a violation of basic human rights.” Also, during a visit to Darfur, delegates “expressed concern about the lack of fair trial provisions.”
Mr. Anderson says Amnesty will continue to dialogue with the Sudanese government about the issues it has raised. It plans to release a report based on the trip to Sudan.
Mr. Anderson spoke with English to Africa reporter Joe De Capua.
Click the above links to download or listen to interview with the Amnesty official.