Sudanese Government Detains Over 50 Christians Without Charge

A human rights organization has learned that at least 55 Christians have been detained without charge by the Sudanese government for about two weeks.

According to a news release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), its sources say the group, which has no political affiliations and includes church leaders, has been falsely accused of receiving money from foreign countries, including Israel.

CSW said the arrests are the latest development in a wave of repression that began towards the end of last year targeting Christian volunteers. It has reportedly resulted in the deportations of around 100 foreign workers, while a number of Sudanese Christians have been detained for questioning by the security services.

According to local reports, CSW said, the repression was preceded by a media campaign against "Christianisation," and was accompanied by the closure of a number of Christian-affiliated schools, colleges and training centers.

CSW said there have been concerns about increasing pressure on churches in Sudan since the creation of South Sudan in 2011. President Al-Bashir has repeatedly stated that Sudan's new constitution would be 100 percent Islamic.