Interim Report - Report No 199, March 1980

Case No 940 (Sudan) - Complaint date: 17-AUG-79 - Closed

1. 305. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) presented its complaint in a communication dated 17 August 1979. The Government sent its observations by a letter dated 3 February 1980.
2. 306. Sudan has not ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), but it has ratified the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 307. In its communication of 17 August 1979, the WFTU states that the Government is violating its international obligations by carrying out mass arrests of trade union leaders, thus exercising pressure on them and preventing them from continuing their activity as representatives of the workers.
2. 308. The complainant states that those arbitrarily arrested include trade union leaders Gassem Amin, Saoudi Darraj, Mahjoub Sayed Ahmed, Ali El Mahi, Mokhtar Abdallah and Hassan Gassem El-Sayed. It claims to have reason to believe that the lives of these persons are in real danger. It states that other trade unionists are also imprisoned.
3. 309. In its reply of 3 February 1980, the Government states that the arrests of the listed trade unionists have nothing to do with their trade union activities, but are due to political activities they undertook against the State away from the trade union sphere. It goes on to state that some of them have been released from detention for human considerations and others will follow when the reasons for their detention are over. Lastly, it declares that it is always keen to give full consideration to trade unions and the basic freedoms and rights of all citizens.

B. B. The Committee's conclusions

1. 310. The Committee notes that, in reply to the complainant's allegation that six listed trade union leaders were arrested for carrying out trade union activities, the Government gives a general denial of the reason for the arrests. Moreover it notes the Government's statement that some of them have been released and others will follow.
2. 311. However, in order to be able to examine the case in full knowledge of the facts, the Committee is of the opinion that it would be useful to have further more precise details concerning the situation of the six trade union leaders listed by the complainant. Accordingly, it would request the Government to supply copies of the judgements sentencing these persons for alleged political activities, together with the reasons adduced therefore, as well as information on the release of some of them and information as to the future release of those remaining in detention.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 312. In these circumstances, the Committee recommends the Governing Body:
   • (a) to request the Government to supply further more precise information on the allegations set out in paragraph 308 above, in particular on the situation of the six trade union leaders listed by the complainant; and
   • (b) to take note of this interim report.