The Chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) was released from detention in Khartoum on Monday 16 May 2005. Dr Mudawi had been arrested on Sunday 8 May 2005 just hours before he was due to board a flight en route to Ireland where he was to be presented with the inaugural Front Line Award for human rights defenders by the President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

"I do thank all of those people who supported me," said Dr Mudawi, "the pressure is part of the reason for my release." Front Line is calling on the Sudanese authorities to drop all charges against him and to ensure that human rights defenders are free to engage in their peaceful and legitimate activities.

President McAleese had presented the Front Line Award to Dr Mudawi's wife, Sabah, and 10 year old daughter, Huda, at a ceremony in Dublin's City Hall on Friday 13th May. He was selected for the award because of his courageous and inspiring work for human rights in Sudan, including Darfur, which led to him being imprisoned three times in the last 18 months. Front Line Press Release 12 May 2005 [0], Front Line Press Release 9 May 2005 [0], Irish Government Press Release [1].

Front Line is also continuing to call for the release of three other members of SUDO who remain in detention. They are Salah Mohammed Abdelrahman arrested in January with Dr Mudawi, Mohammed Musa Aldood who was arrested on 4th February 2005 and Yousif Kabier detained in November 2004.