Corporate report

Sudan - in-year update July 2015

Published 15 July 2015

The human rights situation in Sudan remains deeply concerning.

The UN Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights in Sudan, conducted his first visit to Sudan from 13-23 May, visiting Khartoum, North and South Darfur. In a statement he underscored the “centrality of human rights and rule of law to peace and stability in Sudan” and urged the government of Sudan to “fulfil its human rights obligations”. The period also saw visits and statements by the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights.

The conflicts in Sudan have continued, with reports of aerial bombardments targeting civilians in Darfur and the Two Areas (of Blue Nile and South Kordofan). Visiting Sudan from 26-28 January, Baroness Northover, the then Permanent Under Secretary of State (Department for International Development), made clear in meetings with government that there needed to be an end to conflict and violations of international law. On 13 February, the FCO Minister for Human Rights, Baroness Anelay, issued a statement raising concern over continued displacements and attacks on civilian populations, including the bombing by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of a Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in South Kordofan.

The statement also reiterated concerns over the lack of a full and open investigation into the accusations of mass rape by soldiers in Tabit, North Darfur last year.

Humanitarian access remains an issue of major concern. On 29 January, MSF Belgium announced it would leave Sudan due to restrictions on its activities. On 27 May, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights in Sudan issued a statement of concern over the uncertain future of internally displaced persons in Darfur. As of 31 May, the UN reported over 209,000 people had been displaced by the conflict in Darfur since January 2015.

The situation in Blue Nile has been of particular concern, with reports of at least 12,000 forced relocations by the government of Sudan in May and June, while international humanitarian actors have been denied access for several months. On 1 June, FCO Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, highlighted our concern over the situation in Blue Nile calling for an end to forced relocations and access for humanitarian agencies. As of 31 May, the UN reported that an estimated 23,000 and an estimated 40,000 people have been displaced in government-controlled areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile since the beginning of the year.

While the government of Sudan remained the primary perpetrator of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, there have also been reports of abuses by armed opposition groups. On 12 March, a Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) attack on Kalogi in South Kordofan allegedly resulted in 40 civilian deaths, 45 injuries, and the displacement of an estimated 25,000 people. On 25 June, a SPLM-N attack against Talodi in South Kordofan allegedly killed dozens and injured roughly 100 others. Many of the casualties are believed to be civilians. Media also reported SPLM-N missile attacks on three main South Kordofan towns during the elections.

Inter-tribal violence remains a key concern with 293 reported fatalities recorded in four separate clashes in East and North Darfur. On 10 May, the government of Sudan did not effectively intervene to stop violence that erupted between Reizegat and Ma’aliya tribes in Abu Karinka and rejected the UN’s offer of assistance to set up a buffer zone between the two sides. On 13 May, the EU issued a statement of deep concern over the “resumption of fighting which was foreseeable and further undermines the security and stability situation in Darfur”.

The Sudanese elections took place on 13-16 April. Both the EU and Troika (UK, US and Norway) issued statements expressing concerns that the current environment would not allow a free and fair election process to take place.

The detention and treatment of opposition members remains of concern. Farouk Abu Issa and Amin Mekki Medani were released without charge on 9 April after four months in detention. In the lead-up to the elections a number of opposition members were detained across Sudan in relation to calls to boycott the elections. On 8 June, seven opposition leaders were prevented from leaving Sudan to participate in a hearing at the European Parliament.

There have been reports of police using excessive force to disperse protests resulting in numerous injuries and at least six confirmed deaths. Police acknowledged two of the killings and pledged an investigation, but there is no evidence to suggest this has taken place. There have been seven separate reports of the security services demanding written public apologies from their critics since April. This is a new trend in Sudan. Sandara Kadouda’s charges for defamation of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) were frozen after she issued a public apology denying their involvement in her disappearance.

On 30 April, violence broke out between Darfuri students and students affiliated with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum following the death of NCP student leader Mohammed Awad at Sharg al-Neel. University statements attributed to the NCP’s student secretariat of Khartoum State called for reprisals. At least 16, mostly Darfuri, students were subsequently detained by security services for varying periods of time, many reporting severe beatings while in custody. A student, Mohamed El Bagari, has been arrested and charged with the death of Awad. His trial was suspended after concerns were raised over his not being given access to a defence lawyer.

On 10 March, the African Court for Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) published a March 2014 ruling finding Sudan guilty of violating the rights of three Sudanese nationals including through illegal incarceration and torture. The ACHPR has since written to the government of Sudan requesting they compensate the victims, unfreeze any of their assets and investigate and prosecute those responsible within 180 days.

Freedom of expression has been of particular concern. Sudan dropped two places in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index to 174 of 180. The period has seen extensive seizures of newspapers and a new trend of post-publication censorship for outlets reporting on social issues. A total of 55 seizures were recorded, affecting seventeen papers across the reporting period. Fourteen newspapers were confiscated on 16 February, and ten on 25 May.

Civil society organisations continued to face pressure during the reporting period. On 18 January, NISS raided the Mohmoud Mohamed Taha Cultural Centre. Later the same month, the National Civic Forum and Sudanese Writers Union were informed by letter that their licences were being revoked by the Ministry of Culture. On 26 March, security agents raided the Terakes Training and Human Development Centre, confiscating computers and other materials.

Freedom of religion or belief continues to be restricted in Sudan. The Supreme Court issued its decision in the apostasy case of Meriam Ibrahim, upholding the Court of Appeal’s decision that Meriam was suffering from “mental and psychological problems”, which meant that she should not be held accountable for her actions. Lawyers have reported 22 legal cases in Khartoum discriminating on religious grounds since December 2014. Our Embassy in Khartoum has closely followed the case of two South Sudanese pastors, Yat Michael and Peter Yen, under investigation for crimes against the state. We have raised concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and have been represented at court sessions. The ongoing legal case over the demolition of Bahri Evangelical Church in Khartoum also remains of concern.

The death penalty continues to be applied in Sudan. On 18 February, a man was hanged at Kober prison for murder. There were also numerous reports of further death penalty convictions for murder, including a single case where 14 people were sentenced to death for a double homicide.

The situation for women and girls remains of concern. The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women recognised the “concrete legal measures” taken by the government of Sudan to address women’s human rights but noted that, “despite the existence of laws, policies and programs, violence against women is an issue of concern in Sudan”. The discriminatory application of public order laws remains of particular concern. On 11 February, two teenage girls were arrested for wearing trousers at their workplace in al-Gazira state. One (aged 16) was released without charge and the other (aged 18) was sentenced to twenty lashes.