• Text size Normal size text | Increase text size by 10% | Increase text size by 20% | Increase text size by 30%
  • Also available in French

Egypt releases Sudanese women, children and people from Darfur

News Stories, 19 January 2006

© UNHCR

CAIRO, 19 Jan (UNHCR) – Egyptian authorities have agreed to release the last of hundreds of Sudanese women and children arrested when a protest sit-in was broken up three weeks ago, responding to an appeal by the UN refugee agency.

UNHCR welcomed the decision in which 176 Sudanese women and children were freed on Wednesday night and a further 39 women, children and holders of UNHCR cards that show they are refugees were set to be freed late on Thursday.

In addition 57 Sudanese from the troubled Darfur region were freed. UNHCR had requested their release because it does not support the return of anyone to the war-torn region of Sudan.

A UNHCR staff member watched at Kanater Prison as the women and children were released, many crying with joy but some angry that they had been jailed. Many had been separated from family since before the demonstration was crushed.

"I am so happy I can leave because I want to find my family," said one woman. "I have had no news from them for weeks."

The authorities have extended until 26 January the time UNHCR will have to conduct detailed interviews with the remaining 183 Sudanese still in prison to see if they need international protection. They were among 2,000 Sudanese who for three months had held a sit-in close to UNHCR's office in Cairo and were removed by police on 30 December.

"We are extremely relieved that this group has been released and an additional group of 39 – women, children and UNHCR card holders – will also be released today," said Radhouane Nouicer, UNHCR's Geneva-based deputy director for the region who is helping with the emergency in Cairo, "We are grateful to the Egyptian authorities for this humane gesture."

Following the 29-30 December clash, in which 27 people are reported to have died, most of the demonstrators initially detained were released within a few days of the incident. But more than 600 were still being held on 5 January, when UNHCR was given access to the Sudanese in three Cairo prisons to assess their legal status and their need for international protection.

The agency consequently recommended the release of all detainees – especially the two-thirds who are registered with UNHCR or are women and children or who have fled Sudan's strife-torn Darfur region.

"We will now continue to assess the status of the 183 Sudanese remaining in prison through a proper in-depth legal assessment to ensure whether these people are of concern to UNHCR," added Nouicer. The government has given UNHCR until the 26th of January to continue its legal assessments and UNHCR is hopeful that no deportations will take place for this group.

In the meantime, UNHCR Cairo resumed registration of asylum seekers and the renewal of ID cards, which had been seriously hampered by the sit-in. It will take some time to clear the backlog.

The agency has also provided assistance to hundreds of Sudanese who had participated in the three-month Cairo demonstration but who had earlier been released from detention after being identified by UNHCR.

"We will work closely with the Egyptian authorities and continue to assist them in providing the best support for persons in need of protection", said Nouicer, "Burden-sharing will be crucial, as well as much needed additional funding from donors."

By Astrid van Genderen Stort in Cairo, Egypt

• DONATE NOW • • GET INVOLVED • • STAY INFORMED •

 

Related Stories

more documents

UNHCR country pages

Protection considerations with regard to people fleeing from Libya. Update No.1

Battling the Elements in Chad

More than 180,000 Sudanese refugees have fled violence in Sudan's Darfur region, crossing the border to the remote desert of eastern Chad.

It is one of the most inhospitable environments UNHCR has ever had to work in. Vast distances, extremely poor road conditions, scorching daytime temperatures, sandstorms, the scarcity of vegetation and firewood, and severe shortages of drinkable water have been major challenges since the beginning of the operation. Now, heavy seasonal rains are falling, cutting off the few usable roads, flooding areas where refugees had set up makeshift shelters, and delaying the delivery of relief supplies.

Despite the enormous environmental challenges, UNHCR has so far managed to establish nine camps and relocate the vast majority of the refugees who are willing to move from the volatile border.

Battling the Elements in Chad

Southerners on the move before Sudanese vote

Ahead of South Sudan's landmark January 9, 2011 referendum on independence, tens of thousands of southern Sudanese in the North packed their belongings and made the long trek south. UNHCR set up way stations at key points along the route to provide food and shelter to the travellers during their arduous journey. Several reports of rapes and attacks on travellers reinforced the need for these reception centres, where women, children and people living with disabilities can spend the night. UNHCR has made contingency plans in the event of mass displacement after the vote, including the stockpiling of shelter and basic provisions for up to 50,000 people.

Southerners on the move before Sudanese vote

Chad: Relocation from the Border to Refugee Camps

Since fighting broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur last year, more than 110,000 Sudanese refugees have fled into Chad. They are scattered along a 600-km stretch of desert borderland under a scorching sun during the day and freezing temperatures during the night.

Access to these refugees in this inhospitable region is difficult. Staff of the UN refugee agency drive for days to locate them. Bombing in the border zone and cross-border raids by militia from Sudan put the refugees at risk and underscore the urgent need to move them to camps in the interior. In addition, the approach of the rainy season in May will make the sandy roads impassable. Aid workers are racing against time in an attempt bring emergency relief to these refugees.

Chad: Relocation from the Border to Refugee Camps

Sudan: A Perilous RoutePlay video

Sudan: A Perilous Route

Kassala camp in eastern Sudan provides shelter to thousands of refugees from Eritrea. Many of them pass through the hands of ruthless and dangerous smugglers.
Sudan: Heading for a New HomePlay video

Sudan: Heading for a New Home

UNHCR is offering to help move hundreds of people from Sudan to newly independent South Sudan, where they will build new lives. Almost 250 families with ties to the south are waiting for a ride.
South Sudan: Blue Nile RefugeesPlay video

South Sudan: Blue Nile Refugees

Refugees are streaming in from Sudan's Blue Nile Region into South Sudan, many to Doro Camp.