Sudan is illegally detaining at least seven Darfur and Nuba civilians accused of supporting a coalition of Sudanese rebel groups.
Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Wednesday that National security agents arrested more than 26 people in Khartoum after rebels from the Sudan Revolutionary Forces attacked Um Rawaba in North Kordofan state, and Abu Kershola, in South Kordofan state, in April.
Some were released, but seven people are believed to remain in custody, held at unknown locations.
Africa director at Human Rights Watch Daniel Bekele said ‘the arrests fit a pattern of retaliation against civilians from areas where rebels are fighting government forces.’
He added that ‘the authorities need to say why and where they are holding these civilians, and either charge or free them.’
Human Rights Watch said if the authorities have lawful grounds to prosecute the detainees, they should immediately take them to court, charge them, and allow access to lawyers, medical care and family visits.