Southern Sudanese refugees arrested in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria — More than 500 Southern Sudanese refugees living in Syria were arrested Dec. 9–12, according to a report by Sudanese church officials sent to the Institute on Religion and Democracy’s Church Alliance for a New Sudan (CANS). Women and children were released after one day, but 148 men remain incarcerated as of Jan. 25, sources said.

Sudanese church officials said the arrests came as a result of a decree issued by the National Islamic Front, the ruling regime in Sudan, to force the return to Sudan of all Sudanese nationals living in Syria. Some believe the arrest was ordered by the UN Chief of Mission when the Sudanese turned to the office of the UN for protection against forced repatriation to Sudan.