CAT/C/32/D/148/1999 Page 12 to them. Neither of these sources supports the credibility of complainant’s claims of belonging to Umma, or of his fear of torture. 7 4.15 Finally, advice from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade states that “it is not unusual for Sudanese nationals to remain outside Sudan for long periods, usually for economic reasons”. 8 Information sought from other countries on conditions in Sudan and profiles of Sudanese refugee applicants indicate that while members of the Umma Party or Ansar are sometimes persecuted in Sudan, many persons claim to be party members. Consequently, it is necessary to verify the veracity of these declaratio ns and the degree of personal commitment of the claimants. 4.16 As to whether the complainant would risk to be subjected to torture for having sought asylum in Australia, the State party submits that there is little evidence to support this possibility. According to the complainant’s own evidence, on returning to Sudan his brother was arrested and interrogated as to where he had been and what he was doing outside Sudan when he returned, but was released unharmed after five days. The State party has been advised by the DIMA officer in Cairo that it is aware of Sudanese nationals who returned after fleeing Sudan following the 1989 coup, including nationals who were granted refugee status in Australia and who suffered no problems with the authorities on return to Sudan. The State party also refers to information from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from April 2000, which indicated that the Umma party and the Sudanese government were attempting to reconcile their differences. Issues and proceedings before the Committee: Consideration of admissibility 5.1 Before considering any claim contained in a complaint, the Committee 7 Gerard Prunier, “Sudan Update: War in North and South”, UNHCR RefWorld-Country Information, p.3 8 DFAT CA500922 of 22 January 1998, CX27237