Enforced disappearance of political activist

Sandara Farouq Kadouda, a mother of two, a medical doctor and political activist was taken by suspected members of the National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) on 12 April and her whereabouts remain unknown.

Sandara Farouq Kadouda left her home on 12 April to attend an anti-elections event hosted by Sudanese opposition parties at the National Umma Party premises in Omdurman, Sudan. Shortly after 5.00 pm, her car was stopped in Omdurman by a group of men in plainclothes, suspected to belong to the National Intelligence Security Service (NISS). They violently took her mobile phone while she was talking to a friend, who overheard shouting as Sandara Farouq Kadouda asked someone about their identity card. Soon after the phone was switched off. Her car was found 30 minutes later, abandoned on the street with the keys still inside.

Her family reported the incident to the police and the NISS but they have refused to disclose details on Sandara Farouq Kadouda’s whereabouts and condition. She has not been granted access to a lawyer or her family. Sandara Farouq Kadouda suffers from chronic hypoglycaemia that requires her to adhere to a special diet and to take daily medication, yet it is unclear whether she has had access to medical care. She is also at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Amnesty International has received numerous reports of an intensified National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) crackdown on activities of political opposition groups since the start of Sudan’s elections campaign in February 2015.  At least 15 political activists were arrested by NISS agents on 12 April.

The NISS maintains broad powers of arrest and detention under the National Security Act 2010, which allows suspects to be detained for up to four-and-a-half months without judicial review. NISS officials often use these powers to arbitrarily arrest and detain individuals, and subject them to torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Under the same Act, NISS agents are provided with protection from prosecution for any act committed in the course of their work, even when human rights violations occur, which has resulted in a pervasive culture of impunity. The recent constitutional amendments passed by Parliament on 5 January 2015, have exacerbated the situation. The constitutional amendments granted sweeping powers to the NISS, which now has unlimited discretion to interfere in political, economic and social issues.

Sandara Farouq Kadouda has also been an active environmental campaigner for several years and member of the Committee against the Kajbar and Dal Dams project in Northern Sudan State. Human rights defenders are concerned that the Kajbar and Dal Dams may submerge over 500 ancient archaeological sites, and may have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Name: Sandara Farouq Kadouda