Immediate Release of WHRD
On September 28, 2025, The Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) and Nisa el Mustaqbal (Women of the Future Initiative) strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest and detention of Ms. Suwaken Ishaq Adam Arbab, a respected human rights and women’s rights defender, who was detained by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, South Darfur State, on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
According to her family, Ms. Suwaken was traveling from Zalingei to Kampala, Uganda, to attend a women’s rights workshop when she was arrested upon arrival in Nyala. She was later transferred to Koria Prison, where she remains incommunicado, denied any contact with her family or legal representation.
A Grave Violation of Human Rights
The arrest of Ms. Suwaken constitutes a serious violation of her fundamental rights, including:
– The right to liberty and security of person;
– The right to freedom of movement; and
– The right to carry out human rights work without intimidation or reprisal.
This act is part of a broader pattern of repression against women human rights defenders across Darfur and Sudan, where activists continue to face harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention by armed groups.
Our Demands
We call for:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Suwaken Ishaq Adam Arbab;
2. Guarantees for her physical and psychological safety;
3. Immediate access to legal representation and family communication; and
4. An independent investigation into her arrest, ensuring accountability for those responsible.
We urge the United Nations, the African Union, and all international human rights and women’s rights organizations to act swiftly to secure her release and to protect all women human rights defenders operating in Sudan.
Ms. Suwaken’s arrest takes place amid an ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Darfur, where women and activists are facing unprecedented threats, violence, and displacement. Ms. Suwaken’s have been at the forefront of community peacebuilding and justice initiatives, in 2020 she one most activist in Nertite locality central Darfur, she was advocacy about withdraw UNAMID front Darfur region ,still yet continue to face systematic targeting by the Rapid Support Forces and other armed groups.
Call to Action
Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) and Nisa el Mustaqbal (Women of the Future Initiative) stand in solidarity with Ms. Suwaken Ishaq Adam Arbab and all women defending human rights and dignity across Sudan.
We call upon the international community, regional human rights bodies, and civil society organizations to:
– Amplify her case publicly;
– Demand her release; and
– Advocate for the protection of all women human rights defenders in Sudan and the Darfur region.