News briefing
Translated and edited by: Committee for Justice
Geneva: 7 February 2022
UN human rights experts have expressed their concerns to both the Prime Minister and the Sudanese authorities; Regarding the continued use of force by the military and security forces to suppress the peaceful protests taking place in the country in response to the military coup of 25 October 2021.
Use of lethal force and arbitrary arrests:
In a UN memorandum sent to the Sudanese authorities on December 7, 2021, and has not yet been responded to, experts confirmed that since October 25, 2021, large-scale demonstrations have been organized in Khartoum and other cities across Sudan to demand the release of the Prime Minister and the restoration of the civilian-led transitional government.
The experts noted that there are disturbing reports of the repeated use of lethal and excessive force by the army and security forces seeking to disperse and suppress protests, including the use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters, noting that between October 25, 2021 and November 30, 2021, as a result of the use of lethal force by the army and security forces against the protesters, at least 43 people were killed, including five children and one woman, and more than 700 were injured.
The experts added that military and security forces reportedly prevented wounded protesters from accessing medical care, by preventing ambulances carrying injured protesters from reaching hospitals on November 13, and during the November 17 protests, allegedly in some cases, ambulances were prevented from reaching protest sites in Khartoum to evacuate wounded protesters.
The experts also stated that Sudanese security forces arbitrarily arrested dozens of people, including the Prime Minister, six ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, members of resistance committees, unionists, civil society activists, and journalists. Some protesters were allegedly arrested while receiving treatment in hospitals, while others were forcibly arrested during raids on their homes, and many were held incommunicado in unknown locations without access to their families or lawyers, in conditions that may amount to enforced disappearance.
Internet ban and emergency declaration:
The internet ban also continued despite the ruling of the Khartoum District Court on November 11, which ordered the four main internet providers in Sudan to restore internet service to all users in the country, but the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority stated that the ban would continue for security reasons.
The experts expressed grave concern over what appear to be gross violations of the right to life of peaceful demonstrators by the Sudanese army and security forces, as a result of the use of excessive and lethal force by the security forces, including the use of live ammunition, and the inappropriate use of less-lethal weapons; such as firing tear gas canisters directly at peaceful protesters; In order to cause serious injuries in the march of November 30, 2021.
The experts also condemned the continued impunity for abuses committed by security forces and the military against peaceful demonstrators, including gender-based violence aimed at repressing women and girls, including women human rights defenders.
The experts also expressed their grave concerns about the large number of alleged arbitrary arrests; including peaceful demonstrators, human rights defenders, women human rights defenders, protest leaders, members of resistance committees and individuals detained for political reasons, many of whom have been held incommunicado and in conditions that constitute enforced disappearance.
The experts also said they were “concerned about the declaration of a state of emergency since October 25, 2021, without a time limit, and the continued state of emergency after signing of the political agreement on November 21, 2021, which the authorities appear to have used to justify human rights violations.”
UN demands from the Sudanese authorities:
The experts called on the Sudanese authorities to provide information on the types of orders and guidelines provided to the army and security forces that have been managing the protests since October 25, 2021, and on any measures taken to mitigate the use of excessive or disproportionate force by the army and security forces during the protests.
The experts also called on Sudan to provide information on the measures it has taken to conduct an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation, in accordance with applicable international standards, into previous alleged human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence against peaceful protesters.
The experts also requested the Sudanese authorities to provide information on the factual and legal basis for the arrest and detention of peaceful protesters and human rights defenders, including children.
They also requested the authorities to include information and on how many detainees have been released, and information on whether those still detained have been charged with a recognizable criminal offense and have been granted access to a lawyer of their choice or not.
The experts also called on Sudan to provide information on the steps taken to engage in meaningful dialogue with the demonstrators, and how to address their legitimate demands and their reflection in the transitional process and future policies, while outlining the measures that have been taken to ensure that human rights defenders, including activists and women’s rights defenders in Sudan, are able to carry out their peaceful and legitimate work in a safe and enabling environment without fear of threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrests or harassment of any kind.
