Excessive force, mass arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment and torture used to crack down on popular protests in Sudan

(27 July 2012) This report documents the response of Sudanese authorities to popular protests that have taken place throughout Sudan since 16 June 2012, calling for regime change, freedom, peace and justice.

Police and the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) have used excessive force to disperse and arrest protestors, including the reported use of rubber bullets, tear gas and beatings with sticks and rubber batons. Since 16 June, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has received disturbing reports, on a daily basis, of the arbitrary arrest and detention, ill-treatment and torture of individuals involved or suspected of being involved in the protests.

The report documents the testimonies of individuals who have been released and reported their experiences of detention to ACJPS. It also provides the names of 102 individuals who remained in detention and at risk of torture in NISS custody, on account of their involvement, or presumed involvement in the protests. In the overwhelming majority of cases documented by ACJPS, the detainees have been held in the custody of NISS without charge or access to lawyers or family visits.

NISS has targeted individuals suspected of leading or coordinating the protests within the youth movements and opposition political parties, as well as human rights defenders, journalists and others monitoring and reporting on the government response to the protests.

Read full report here.

Contact: Osman Hummaida, Executive Director of the African Centre For Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)

Phone: +44-7956-095738 (UK)

Email: osman@acjps.org