The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the release of a number of journalists and women activists who had been detained by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than six months following their participation in a workshop on women’s rights held in the city of Nyala, South Darfur State.
Among those released were broadcaster Ishraga Abdelrahman, Dr. Manahil Mustafa Al‑Sanousi, Director of the Al‑Manhal Center for Training and Capacity Building, radio journalist Mawahib Ibrahim, and human rights activist Majda Hassan Ali.
According to available information, RSF members arrested the women from their homes using military vehicles and personnel dressed in civilian clothing, before taking them to undisclosed locations. No official announcement was made regarding the reasons for their detention or the locations where they were being held.
According to one of the workshop participants, the event was organized through an initiative by “Journalists for Peace” and “Natakallam (We Speak)”, with the participation of 25 attendees. The workshop addressed women’s rights under national legislation and international legal instruments, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The Committee for Justice welcomes the release of the journalists and activists and considers it a positive step toward safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.
CFJ further calls for the disclosure of the fate of all individuals detained by the Rapid Support Forces, an end to detention outside the framework of the law, and guarantees that civilians, activists, and journalists are not subjected to detention because of their peaceful exercise of their rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, and participation in civic and human rights activities.
