Rhino: Follow-up – The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee condemned the arrest of Mr. Ali al-Zubair by the security unit in North Kordofan State and his removal from his home last Wednesday to the security unit’s headquarters—an act that violates the most basic human rights, freedom of expression, and the right to demand one’s rights.
In a statement, the committee suggested that Al-Zubair’s arrest was linked to his activism and demands for teachers’ rights, foremost among which are the payment of arrears, the implementation of decisions and circulars regarding the improvement of teachers’ working conditions, and an end to North Kordofan State’s procrastination in fulfilling these entitlements.
The statement read: “We condemn this behavior and warn the authorities against using censorship and arrest as a means to silence the voices of teachers, rather than addressing the real problems they face, foremost among which are low wages, the accumulation of arrears, and the suspension of decisions and financial entitlements.”
The statement added: “The arrest of a teacher demanding the rights of his colleagues does not nullify those rights, nor does it resolve the crisis; rather, it adds another crisis related to freedoms and the right to organize, express oneself, and demand legitimate rights”.
The statement held the security authorities in North Kordofan State fully responsible for the safety of Mr. Ali al-Zubair and demanded his immediate and unconditional release, disclosure of the reasons for his arrest and his place of detention, and a guarantee that he will not be subjected to any violations.
The statement called on human rights activists, trade unionists, civil society organizations, and all forces advocating for rights and freedoms to stand in solidarity with Mr. Ali al-Zubair and to launch a broad campaign demanding his release, given that his arrest was motivated by his advocacy for the rights of his fellow teachers. It continued: “Arrest will not be a substitute for the enforcement of rights, and teachers will not remain silent just because a colleague of theirs was arrested while demanding their rights”.
