We strongly condemn the widespread human rights violations against the Sudanese people.  Reports from human rights organizations in Sudan emerge every day detailing state repression, from brutal crack-downs on protests,  arresting and detaining activists for prolonged periods of time without due process of the law, to torture, rape  and killing of members of the non-violent resistance, whose aim is to restore democracy, basic liberties and respect of human rights.

 

Recently, on January 31st 2011, students from different universities in Khartoum and other cities have organized demonstrations in protest of state repression, lack of freedoms and the escalating prices of food and other commodities.  The security forces were brutal in their crack-downs on these demonstrations, one student was shot and killed, scores of students were injured and more than 74 students were arrested and were tortured by security agents. An artist by the name Safia Ishag was detained, beaten and raped for allegedly distributing anti-government material.

Two Sudanese newspapers “Alsahafa” and “Ajrass Al-hurriya” were banned of distributing their Monday edition after it was printed for printing news about the demonstrations. Seven journalists were beaten and arrested and are still in detention.

The new National Security Act passed by the government, retains broad powers of arrest and detention for up to four-and-a-half months that could be extended without due process of the law, in violation of human rights treaties to which Sudan is party. Security officers enjoy total immunity from any crimes they commit including shooting and killing of unarmed civilians.

Recently, an artist by the name Safia Ishag was kidnapped, detained, beaten and gang raped for allegedly distributing anti-government material, all in response to her participation in the January 30th youth-led protests with a nonviolent group called “Girifna”. This is not the only incident to happen, for there are many others that faced the same fate.