Sudan: Military authorities must immediately stop the use of force against protestors

(1 July 2022) Khartoum, Nairobi, Paris. On June 30, the anniversary day of the seizure of power by former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir in 1989, the Sudanese people once again expressed, in the streets, their deep desire to end the military dictatorship. As they reiterate their demands, the deadly repression of popular and peaceful demonstrations by the ruling authorities must no longer go unpunished. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) and the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) strongly condemn and call for the immediate stop of the use of force by the Sudanese security forces.

On June 30, 2022, as protestors gather on the double anniversary of the 1989 putsch and of the demonstrations that led to his forced step down in 2019, 9 demonstrators were killed. Over 500 (85 are currently at Omdurman hospital and 6 in North Darfur) were injured by live ammunition and gunfire, including from snipers posted on the main roads. 150 persons including 27 women are in detention. Many of the detainees are injured and tortured, according to members of the organisation Emergency Lawyers, while lawyers have been prevented from entering police stations.

Our organisations are deeply concerned with the deliberate attacks on the population, aimed at silencing, at all costs, the voices calling for an end to military rule. The shutdown of the Internet illustrates the government’s desire to silence and contain the voices of civilians, human rights defenders, and civil society organisations who hold out hope for an end to decades of impunity in Sudan.

Since the October 25, 2021 coup, the civil-military hiatus ended, and the practices of the former regime have resurfaced. Sudanese security forces operate with impunity. More than 112 civilians have lost their lives in demonstrations and more than 5,000 were injured. The harassment and attacks on freedom of expression contribute to the closure of civic and democratic space, to the detriment of civil society and human rights organisations.

“The use of the judicial system by the authorities, which has led to politicised trials, to detain opponents and civil society figures is reminiscent of the dark periods in recent Sudanese history.”

Mossaad Mohamed Ali, Executive Director of ACJPS

The worrying increase in violence in Darfur and Kordofan is another sign of the climate of impunity in the country. In West Darfur, at least 276 people were killed and 65,000 displaced. The October 2020 Juba Peace Agreement is not being implemented and the government is violating its obligation to protect civilians.

“The military must respond to the aspirations of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace and justice. These demands include an end to the impunity that persists in Sudan.”

Ahmed Elzobier, Director of SHRM

Perpetrators of serious human rights violations, including international crimes committed during the Omar al-Bashir regime, but also crimes committed during the transitional period, including the June 3 massacre, and since the 2021 Coup must be prosecuted.

“Our organisations call on international and regional partners to condemn without further delay the increasing human rights violations throughout the country and to support the Sudanese people’s aspiration to consolidate democracy.”

Sheila Muwanga, Vice President of FIDH

P.S. African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM)