The Arab NGO Network kfor Development, The Arab Organisation for Human Rights and the Arab Institute for Human Rights sent a letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights

14.01.2019
Beirut, Lebanon
Letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Your Excellency High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet Jeri,
Peaceful protesters in Sudan continue to face systematic and gross human rights violations. Since the first day of protests their legitimate and peaceful demands for economic,  social and political reforms,  which came in response to the dire austerity measures implemented, widespread corruption and social injustices have been faced by excessive use of force, killing by live ammunition, mass arrests and detention of critical voices by government security forces and allied militia. Thus far between 40 and 75 have been reported killed according to national and international human rights groups (the government admitted killing 24).

Thousands of protesters  have been arrested including the Arab NGO Network for Development Sudanese member, National Civic Forum Secretary General Hasan Abdel Ati. Furthermore, through internet disruptions, censorship of media the Sudanese authorities try to block access to information and cut off the Sudanese civilians, activists and human rights defenders from international observation.

Nevertheless, worldwide solidarity with Sudanese human rights defenders and civilian protesters takes place and calls for an immediate  end to killing of protesters and release of all  detainees. International community including the European Union expressed grave concern and asked for independent and impartial investigations into human rights violations. Even Sudan’s National Human Rights Commission, a body appointed by President al-Bashir reaffirmed the ongoing violations and acknowledgeed the use of live ammunition against  protesters.

Under this global recognition and awareness of the dire human rights situation in Sudan, we welcome the joint statement issued by the Special Rapporteurs of the the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the Independent Expert on Sudan expressiong concern. However we regret that civilians continue to suffer daily under the relentless repression by the government and are in urgent need of protection.

We believe that as the High Commissioner for human rights  you have a unique role to play and a great potential to implement meaningful changes  in the human rights situation and for human rights defenders in Sudan and we appeal for your urgent intervention. We understand your mandate to prevent human rights violations is challenging yet these violations cannot remain as mere news. In defense of international human rights system, a strong public advocacy is needed as well as bringing the violations occurring in Sudan to the attention of all UN member states, the human rights council, and the UN Secretary General. Given the serious nature of the human rights violations currently occurring in Sudan, we urge your Excellency to initiate a call for deployment of human rights monitors to Sudan in order to conduct an assessment of the human rights situation on the ground, and contribute to the protection of Sudanese people against the oppressive measures of the regime.

We remain at your disposal for further information and in support to your Excellency and your Office.

Ziad Abdel Samad

Alaa Shalabi 

Abdel BAsset Ben HAssan