African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies ACJPS | المركز الافريقي لدراسات العدالة و السلام
(30 August 2019)
August 31, 2019 will mark the one-year anniversary since the untimely passing of Dr Amin Makki Madani, a human rights lawyer, a member of African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies’ (ACJPS) International Board of Directors and one of the pioneers of human rights movement both in Sudan, regional and global levels.
Dr. Amin co-founded the Board of Trustees of the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor, which in 1985 became the first independent Sudanese human rights organization under the name of Sudanese Organization for Human Rights. He was also director and member of the Board of Trustees of a number of independent Sudanese and regional human rights organizations.
Dr Amin is known for his courage and faithfulness in his struggle for human rights protection. He tirelessly fought against arbitrary and incommunicado detentions, and denials of access to a doctor and adequate medical treatments. He has authored many legal publications and actively contributed to the promotion of democratic governance in Sudan during his leading role in the Trade Union Alliance within the coalition that restored the third democracy in Sudan.
After his graduation from the University of Khartoum, Dr. Amin Makki Madani held several positions at the regional and international levels including in the United Nations and has worked in Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Gaza, Palestine, Switzerland, Gambia, Lebanon and Iraq. He further collaborated with different universities around the world, and with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
In 1991, Dr. Amin received the Human Rights Watch Award for Human Rights along with a prize from the American Bar Association in the same year as well as Human Rights Award in 2015 awarded to him by the European Union Delegation in Sudan.
Because of his courageous human rights work, Dr Amin has also been subjected to unfair trials after being charged under the Sudanese Anti-Terrorism Law (2014-2015). This prompted 105 human rights lawyers to represent him until the Sudanese authorities dropped the charges and released him and his colleague Mr Farouk Abu Issa.
Dr Amin represented victims of violations and persistently spoke out against abuse of power. He also steadfastly advocated for democratic transformation leading to greater respect for human rights. Many lawyers, human rights defenders and organisations have benefited greatly from his experience, insights, support and generosity.
Dr. Amin Makki passed away on August 31, 2018 in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum after a long life of serving human rights and democracy. ACJPS, his colleagues, friends and family will hold his inspiration near and continue the fight for human rights, peace and justice in Sudan and the region.
