On 29 and 30 November 2000 an official at the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Ottawa provided the following information about the personal identity cards issued by the Sudanese government to be carried by all adult Sudanese. The government department responsible for issuing the document is the Ministry of the Interior, Department of Nationality, Passport, Personal Identity Card and Immigration. The format of the document is as follows: it is rectangular, white, laminated and emblazoned with the national emblem of Sudan. It also contains the following information: the name of the city where it was issued; the name, profession, date of birth and blood group of the bearer; the date of issue and expiry (the card is valid for five years); and the number of the card. In addition, the card bears the signature of the authorizing officer and the photograph and thumbprint of the bearer. Sudanese citizens must carry the card from the age of eighteen, and the applicant must be physically present at the issuing office in order to receive his or her card. The bearer's photograph and thumbprint must also be taken at the office of the issuing officer; they cannot be sent in. The official added that, while there are no specific penalties for not having an identity card, "it is the de facto identification document that is very important in any official or legal dealing."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Ottawa. 30 November 2000. Telephone interview with an official.

_____. 29 November 2000. Correspondence.