Govt welcomes release of human rights worker

The Government today welcomed the release of a Sudanese human rights worker who was arrested hours before he was due to fly to Ireland to receive an award for his work.

Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam was arrested in Kharthoum, ahead of his trip to receive the inaugural Front Line award from President Mary McAleese, and was later charged with espionage and photographing a military area.

He is the chairman of the Sudanese Social Development Organisation (SUDO), which provides emergency relief in Darfur as well as running human rights education and development projects throughout Sudan.

Dr Mudawi’s wife and daughter attended the ceremony in Dublin last week and received the Front Line Award from the President on his behalf.

Front Line, the Irish-based international human rights agency, said it was very pleased that Dr Mudawi had been released, but called for the charges against him to be dropped.

“The expectation is that they will be left hanging over him for a while at least,” deputy director of Front Line, Andrew Anderson said.

“We’re calling for the charges to be dismissed and the Sudanese government to ensure that he and other human rights defenders are free to engage in their work in Sudan.”

Mr Mudawi was arrested along with two colleagues – who have also been released - while taking photographs to bring to Ireland to show his work in Sudan, Mr Anderson said.