Anti-Slavery International's Director, Mike Dottridge, and Algerian human rights lawyer, Mohamed Tahri, are visiting Sudan to assess action taken by the authorities to free women, children and men who have been abducted and used as forced labour.

'It is important to get a clear picture of what action has been taken since the Government of Sudan last year turned its attention to securing the release of those abducted and used as forced labour. Although several charities are active in south Sudan with trying to release captives, none has information on the steps being taken in the north, nor on their effectiveness,' Dottridge said.

While in Sudan Mike Dottridge and Mohammed Tahri are visiting Khartoum where they are meeting members of the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC), established by the Government in May 1999. CEAWC is reported to have secured the release of hundreds of women and children held in forced labour.

They will also be visiting other parts of the country where people have been forced to work for their abductors or other employers.

There are reports from Sudan that more than 10,000 people originating in southern Sudan need to be reunited with their families. Many of these people were abducted from their homes and some are still being forced to work for others. However, it is not clear whether the Government of Sudan has taken action to end the raids in which unarmed civilians have been abducted and taken captive.

Most of those who have been abducted are reported to be women and children belonging to the Dinka community, the largest single ethnic group in southern Sudan.