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Sudan: Recent political activities of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Sudan and degree of suppression of political opposition by the fundamentalist government

According to an official of Human Rights Watch, who specializes in political and human rights issues in Sudan, the Democratic Unionist Party leadership  is currently in exile (7 July 1999). The DUP is a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a broad coalition of opposition groups opposed to the National Islamic Front (NIF) regime in Sudan. The NDA, he explained, has a military wing which is active in eastern Sudan, and the DUP is involved in that effort (ibid.).

The official stated that the NIF has responded to opposition by cracking down on its leaders and confiscating their properties and businesses (ibid.). The Mirgani families, he said, being rich merchants and real estate holders, have had their businesses and lands confiscated. Because Jaali (also spelt Jalayn) constitute the economic base of the DUP, the government has moved to control their businesses and has suppressed them out of businesses (ibid.). This information could not be could not be corroborated within the time constraints of this Response. For additional information on the DUP, please consult the numerous Responses on the topic available at Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of  additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Human Rights Watch [New York]. 7 July 1999. Telephone interview with official.

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. January 1998 - June 1999. Vols. 38-39. Weekly

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January-December 1998. Vol. 35. Nos. 1-12.

Amnesty International. 1998. Amnesty International Report 1999. New York: Amnesty International USA.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Press.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. January 1998-February 1999. Bi-monthly. Nos. 1-6.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. Weekly. January 1998-June 1999. Nos. 793-862.

Jane's Intelligence Review [Surrey, UK]. January -December 1998. Vol. 10. Nos. 1-12.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1998-January 1999. Monthly. Vols. 44-45.

Political Handbook of the World 1998. 1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Sudan Democratic Gazette [London]. January 1998-June 1999. Nos. 92-109.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World News Connection (WNC).

Topics: Political parties, Opposition, Persecution based on political opinion,