South Kordofan — A women's political alliance is asking for the release of at least 70 female prisoners transferred last month from a jail in Kadugli to the central prison in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan.

The female prisoners were detained in Kadugli prison on charges of collaborating with the SPLM northern sector. According to reports, they were never taken to court.

Adiela El-Zibaq, one of the alliance's members, said they decided to submit a memorandum to competent authorities and to the High Commissioner for Human Rights demanding the women's release.

She called upon civil society organizations and human rights activists to exert pressure on the government to free the detainees and ensure their safety.

The alliance is also asking that relatives of the prisoners are allowed to visit them and that they have access to doctors and lawyers.