Press Release
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has monitored the violent assault of lawyer and human rights defender Reem Abd El-Latif in Kessla, Sudan, by police officers on a public road, despite her presenting her lawyer’s ID, in a clear violation of lawyers’ immunity.
CFJ stated that the incident also included her arbitrary detention, physical assault, and verbal abuse before she was later released.
The committee highlighted that this incident marks a dangerous escalation in the recurring attacks on lawyers in Sudan, who are an integral part of the justice system and the protection of rights.
Previously, CFJ had documented attacks on human rights lawyer Izdihar Juma in Karima and lawyer Montasir Abdullah in Port Sudan. It emphasized that this systematic targeting poses a direct threat to the fundamental role of lawyers in defending public freedoms and citizens’ rights.
CFJ” calls for a transparent and fair investigation into the assault on lawyer Reem Abd El-Latif, urging the authorities to reveal the incident’s details and hold the perpetrators accountable for this flagrant violation of laws guaranteeing lawyers’ immunity. The committee stresses the importance of providing legal and professional safeguards to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, which undermine confidence in the justice system.
Additionally, CFJ emphasizes the necessity of creating a safe and supportive environment that enables lawyers to practice their legitimate and peaceful work freely and without intimidation or threats. The committee warns that the continuation of such violations poses a serious threat to the fundamental role of lawyers in defending citizens’ rights and freedoms. This calls for urgent action by the concerned authorities to ensure respect for the rule of law and to provide essential protection for lawyers as an inseparable part of the justice system.
