In Great Britain, the Home Secretary, who judges Khartoum to be a “safe place” gave orders that a Zaghawa asylum seeker be deported to Sudan (the individual is appealing the ruling). A week before another person, a Darfuri was also repatriated and immediately apprehended by the Security and Intelligence Service and tortured (AP 03 04). Several Human Rights groups based in England, including Aegis Trust, Waging Peace, Human Rights Watch and The Refugee Council , have written to the Home Secretary to complain that Darfuri asylum seekers were privately interviewed by members of the Sudanese Embassy in a British administrative local, which seems illegal according to Human Rights Law. “It was standard procedure,” according to a Home Secretary spokesperson, “to ask assistance from representatives of the country of origin in order to verify the nationality of immigration delinquents (illegal aliens) who come without travel documents. However, the British government does not give out information to any other foreign government concerning and individual's criminal history or asylum status”. For one of those questioned, it was as if he had stood before a would-be assassin.

The BBC's foreign correspondent in Sudan was expulsed. He had the audacity to research and write a piece, proving once again, that the Janjaweed received logistic aid from the government (ST 12 04).

According to Amnesty International (May 23, 2007) dozens of death sentences have been pronounced in Sudan without the possibility of proper legal defense. In many court cases, confessions made under duress are always admissible in a court of law.

An anti-personnel mine killed 9 soldiers and wounded 11 others near the Ethiopian border. The mines were placed in the location by “Ethiopian bandits”, targeting civilians and regional security” (AFP 14 04).

Good news concerning the freedom to worship in Khartoum. For the first time since ex-president Nimeiri imposed Shari'ia law in 1984, Christian faithful were allowed to hold their Palm Sunday procession through the streets of the city (Fides 03 04).

The South Sudanese government is considering a law establishing an authoritative body to ensure freedom of the press and is encouraging syndicated journalists to participate in its drafting (Khartoum Monitor 06 04).

Health

The Global Fight Against Aids fund has given 28, 5 million dollars to South Sudan. This will permit the establishment of a coordinated political effort, a strategic plan, and an evaluation and tracking system. However, the lack of security risks to stymie full implementation (Plusnews 12 04).