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Prisoner Release: Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement

Implementations

Prisoner Release – 2005

After the signing of CPA in January 2005, the Sudanese government and the International Red Cross signed a protocol on 14 February 2005 regarding the rules and principles governing the release and transfer of persons detained in relation to the armed conflict in southern Sudan. A Sudanese Minister also said that the SPLM-held 700 prisoners of war who would be freed in the third week of February (Source: Red Cross, Sudan Government Sign Protocol on Prisoner release, Agence France Presse, 14 February 2005). Throughout 2005, the SPLM released a number of Prisoners of War (PoWs). The ICRC reported on the basis of partial involvement in the process and interviews that PoWs had been well-treated and had returned voluntarily.¹ According to the U.S. State Department Human Rights Report, the SPLM/A released approximately 500 prisoners of war in 2005. The Sudanese government maintained that it did not have PoWs.²

“The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, May 2011.
“2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Sudan,” U.S. State Department, 2006, accessed January 10, 2012, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61594.htm.