During the EP plenary session (12 - 15 March 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman. Statements by Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Ana GOMES (S&D, PT), Julie WARD (S&D, UK), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR) and Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. Illustration shots on the day in which Salih Mahmoud OSMAN received the Sakharov Prize 2007 (11/12/2007).

The arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman: extracts from the debate and illustrative pictures

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SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Author of the resolution, The NISS and the rapid security forces are acting in flagrant violation of international and Sudanese laws, it was the NISS forces who arrested Mr Osman. He&rsquo;s got diabetes, his health is deteriorating due to the lack of proper care and he had to be put in the hospital. If the EU relations with Sudan are meaningful, if they are of any use, now is the moment to act; we need to obtain the liberation of Salih Mahmoud Osman and all political prisoners in Sudan. Mr Commissioner, I count on you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT), Author of the resolution, As a European, I&rsquo;m in pain and in shame for Salih and all the other brave Sudanese. Commission, Council and Member States, you will betray European values, interests and the trust of EU citizens and our African friends if you do not act immediately and decisively to get Sakharov laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman and all these brave Sudanese activists out of jail and if you do not hear their warnings and their pleas to us. And if you don&rsquo;t act and get arrested and sent to trial the ICC indicted criminal Omar Al Bashir.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julie WARD (S&amp;D, UK), Can I also thank NGOs such as Front Line Defenders and Waging Peace without whom we could not do our important work standing up for human rights; Waging Peace in particular drew attention to Boris Johnson's support at the 'UK-Sudan Trade and Investment Forum' built as 'an opportunity for foreign businesses and investors'. Be quite clear: there must be no trade that disregards human rights.

SOUNDBITE (French), Mich&#232;le RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Author of the resolution, Any cooperation with the Sudanese authorities tramples the international law obligations and puts at risk all people detained is Sudan, which are at the mercy of the dictator Omar Al Bashir.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, The EU delegation in Khartoum is doing its utmost to keep an updated logbook of all those detained. Specific cases of concern like the one of Mr Osman are closely monitored and systematically raised in meetings with the Sudanese authorities. 

Illustration shots on the day in which Salih Mahmoud OSMAN received the Sakharov Prize 2007 (11/12/2007). SOUNDBITE (English), Salih Mahmoud OSMAN, winner of the Sakharov Prize 2007, I am proud to accept this honour on behalf of the other candidates to this prize and also on behalf of so many Sudanese who believe as I do in human dignity and pursue of justice. Thank you so much Standing ovation EP President Hans-Gert P&Ouml;TTERING hands the prize to Mr Salih Mahmoud OSMAN , applause

The arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman: extracts from the debate and illustrative pictures

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Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sakharov Prize laureate 2007