Rudwan Dawod, in front of the Manute Bol Primary School in Turalei (Nancy Dawod).

Contact the State Department here and relay the following message:

Please help facilitate the immediate release of Rudwan Dawood, staffer of the US-based NGO Sudan Sunrise.  Rudwan was leading a reconciliation project in South Sudan when he was taken prisoner by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on July 3rd. Rudwan has reportedly been beaten, tortured, threatened with rape, and falsely charged with terrorism and criminal organization by the NISS.  The imprisonment of Rudwan follows their usual modus operandi, as according to Waging Peace, “The NISS is perhaps the most powerful wing of the Government of Sudan, with no checks on its authority to arrest and detain anyone perceived to be at odds with the incumbent regime. The NISS primarily targets journalists, political dissidents, human rights defenders, activists and members of ethnic minorities.” 

Forebodingly, both the judge and the NISS made disparaging statements regarding Rudwan before the hearing.  Recent reports indicate that journalists and human rights organizations have not been allowed in the court hearings.  If convicted, Rudwan could face years in prison, where he is likely to suffer further abuse, or even the death penalty. His trial has been pushed to August 13, leaving him vulnerable to further abuse for several weeks.

I appeal to you to immediately use your full influence to increase awareness and support for Rudwan Dawood, and to call for his immediate release.  Barring that, call on the Government of Sudan to hold a transparent, free and fair trial for Rudwan.  Bring him home to his wife Nancy in Oregon.  Bring him home to see see the birth of his child in September.