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Ding Zilin, Zhang Xianling and Huang Jinping Arrested in China, March 2004posted on: 2004/06/17

According to information received from the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Ding Zilin, Zhang Xianling and Huang Jinping, all spokespeople for families of victims of the violent crackdown against protesters in Beijing on 4 June 1989, were arrested by police on 28 March 2004. The arrests are allegedly in connection with a video CD which includes testimonies from the three women about relatives they lost in Tiananmen Square, and which is due to be shown to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

On 28 March 2004, Zhang Xianling was allegedly apprehended in her home by two police officers who reportedly presented a warrant stating that she was being detained under Article 50 of China's National Security Law. It is alleged that the police told Zhang Xianling's husband that the Tiananmen Mothers Campaign and the Tiananmen Mothers were reactionary organizations through which entities inside and outside China were conspiring to harm national security and to incite subversion of state power.

Sudanese Human Rights Defender Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam Risks Death Penalty, March 2004posted on: 2004/06/17

4th March 2004

Sudanese Human Rights Defender, Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, arrested on 28th December 2003 has now been charged under five different articles of the Criminal Act 1991. Two of the charges, "undermining the constitutional system" and "waging war against the state" can reportedly result in the death penalty. Front Line has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam who is being persecuted because of his human rights work with the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO).

Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, the Chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO), a voluntary organization created to promote sustainable development and human rights, was arrested at his home on the 28th of December 2003, and has been in detention ever since. On 7 and 8 February 2004, he reportedly entered into hunger strike for two days, requesting an immediate and unconditioned release or a fair and prompt trial.

Human Rights Defenders Arrested in Saudi Arabia, March 2004posted on: 2004/03/21

On 15 March 2004, a group of human rights defenders were allegedly arrested in connection with their criticism of the newly established National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) for its lack of independence from the government, and for submitting an application, shortly before their arrest, in order to form an independent human rights organization to promote and protect human rights in Saudi Arabia. Their arrest was also allegedly a reprisal for their active engagement, in the last two years, in peaceful activities calling upon the government to take steps towards political reforms, democracy and respect for human rights.

Those still in detention are reportedly being held incommunicado at the General Intelligence (al-Mabahith al-'Amma) in 'Ulaysha, in the capital, Riyadh, and are at risk of torture and ill-treatment. It is reported that an official at the Ministry of Interior announced that the detainees were suspected of issuing "statements which do not serve the unity of the country and the cohesion of society...based on the Islamic religion".