Amnesty seeks global appeal to overturn Darfur death sentences 

London, 29 April-(ANA)-Amnesty International has called on the international community to appeal to the authorities in Sudan to overturn the sentences passed on the 82 men by Anti-Terrorism Special Court following an attack on the capital Khartoum in May last year by the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM.

The human rights organisation also expressed opposition to the death penalty, describing it as an ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment  and a violation of the right of life.

It urged the authorities to investigate allegations that the men were tortured, and bring those responsible to justice.

The courts that sentenced them to death were set up after the attack on Khartoum, which left 220 people dead according to government figures.

 
According to local lawyers and human rights activists, the men's trials were grossly unfair: many had no access to legal counsel until their trials had begun. Many were tortured or otherwise ill treated, and many confessed under torture. (ANA)

FA/ANA/29 April 2009---