Press release
Geneva – March 4, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned the recent arrest of Sheikh Al-Amin Omar, a prominent relief activist in Omdurman, Sudan, along with his family members and mosque visitors. A combat group affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces carried out the arrest, taking them to an undisclosed location.
Sheikh Al-Amin’s arrest followed the release of a video depicting a shooting incident in the mosque under his supervision by the Sudanese Armed Forces. While his family members were later released, Sheikh Al-Amin remains in detention.
Notably, Sheikh Al-Amin Omar has steadfastly provided aid and support to those in distress in Omdurman, particularly during the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The mosque he oversees has served as a refuge for those affected, with him and volunteers offering crucial relief efforts.
CFJ unequivocally rejects the Sudanese Armed Forces’ detention of Sheikh Al-Amin Omar and urges for his immediate and unconditional release. The Committee also appeals to the Sudanese Armed Forces to cease targeting human rights defenders based on their opinions and advocates for providing a secure environment for them to carry out their vital work amid the country’s challenging circumstances.
