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Sudanese Activist Released

May 20, 2005

NEW YORK / NAIROBI – As reported in the Irish Times on May 17, Sudanese human rights activist Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, who was prevented from travelling to Dublin last week to accept an award from President Mary McAleese, has been freed from the custody of the Sudanese government.

Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, who was arrested in Khartoum nine days ago, told The Irish Times he had been released unhurt. "They gave me my passport and camera and I just walked out. I do thank all of those people who supported me. The pressure is part of the reason for my release."

Church World Service was among the agencies advocating for Dr Mudawi’s release. Its appeals reached the Department of State, the United Nations, and the Sudanese Embassy in Washington. Through the CWS Education and Advocacy Program, its Public Policy representative collaborated with Amb. Rannenberger's office at the U.S. State Department and with the office of Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) to draw attention to Dr. Mudawi's arrest.

Dr Mudawi was arrested for taking camera footage of street scenes in the Sudanese capital that he had planned to show at the Dublin prize-giving ceremony. He was charged with espionage, an offense that can carry the death penalty.

In the absence of the 49-year-old engineer and university professor, President Mrs. McAleese presented the inaugural Front Line Award for human rights defenders to Dr Mudawi's wife and daughter in Dublin last Friday (May 13).

Dr Mudawi, who is chairman of the Sudan Social Development Organisation, said after his release that he had already resumed his work for the victims of the conflict in Darfur. "These people need us," he said.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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