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The UK asylum case of Mende Nazer draws serious attention both
to the issue of slavery in Sudan and to the security of those in
Sudan who draw attention to this abuse.
Slavery constitutes a grave violation of human rights. Despite
the Sudan Government's denial of slavery in the country, its existence
is an established fact, confirmed by Anti-Slavery International's
research and most recently by the International Eminent Persons
Group, as well as the United Nations and other bodies.
The recently reported UK Home Office statement that Mende Nazer
would not be vulnerable to reprisals from the Sudan Government because
it did not condone slavery fails to understand the realities of
the situation. In Sudan, those who raise the issue of slavery face
harassment and imprisonment. As recently as January 2002 a Sudanese
journalist was arrested for publishing an article on slavery, despite
the information already being in the public domain and well known
to the authorities.
Anti-Slavery International believes that should Mende Nazer be
sent back to Sudan, she would be at risk of reprisals from the Government.
Her request for asylum should be granted to provide the protection
from persecution.
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