Sudan Consortium: African and International Civil Society Action on Sudan

The Darfur Consortium has changed its name to the Sudan Consortium in line with a recognition to address all of Sudan's conflicts in a holistic manner.

ACJPS: Sudan: 9 Victims of Torture Forced to Announce Islam

(30 October 2018) Since 2011, Sudanese government has launched a heavy attack on freedom of religion in Sudan through prosecution; refer to Article 126 of Sudanese Criminal Act of 1991 on Apostasy, cases married to long detention and torture before presenting a person to court has been a recurring factor from 1968 to 2018. Since 1968, a total of 155 male and female Sudanese have been accused of apostasy.

ACJPS: Sudan charges a female musician for indecent dressing based on a social media post

(25 October 2018) On 18 October 2018 at 3:00pm, 4 policemen from the public order police department raided a car that was carrying a singer, Ms. Muna Majdi Salim. The policemen raided the car while she was waiting for the driver who had stepped out to buy water from a nearby shop in the main street of Khartoum. The policemen arrived in a car with tinted windows and with no number plates. She was taken to a public order police station located in Al-mugran neighborhood of Khartoum. A case was filed against her under Article 152 of Sudanese Criminal Act of 1991 for indecent dressing. She was interrogated about her dressing on 11 October 2018, while she was performing at a Charity party at Sparks City Hall, located in Al-Sahfa neighborhood of Khartoum. She was then shown a photo of what she was allegedly wearing on the said date as published on social media. In the photo, Ms. Muna was wearing trouser and a white long-sleeved blouse.

(18 October 2018) On 13th October 2018, Mr. Ismail Yousif Abu-Salaa was arrested by MI in Um-Brambeta under reason of being brother to SPLA-N member. His whereabouts is unknown and he is suspected to be under torture while denied family or lawyers visits.

South Kordofan Blue Nile Coordination Unit: Humanitarian Update Two Areas: September 2018

(September 2018) Attached please find the humanitarian update for September 2018 both in English and Arabic

• *Record prices for sorghum in Wadaka, Blue Nile.*

• *The lean season of 2019 is likely to be early which means a worse
food security situation for 2019 in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.*

• *Livestock disease outbreaks affect BN and could spread to Sudan
and South Sudan.*

• *Primary schools restart in October.*

(16 October 2018) On 5th September and 8th October 2018, five members of Talodi youth association for development were attended before the court for trial after being arrested for criticizing the use of cyanide in gold mining without taking precautionary measures that had previously caused serious side-effects.

(October 2018) During the reporting period (20 May 2017 to November 2017), numerous developments contributing to the deterioration of security took place in Darfur. Approximately 414 members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias and armed opposition movements were killed and 331 wounded. In May 2017, 234 members of armed movements were taken prisoner during clashes in East and North Darfur States despite the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid (UNAMID) in Darfur since 31 December 2007. During the reporting period, there were three attacks in South Darfur by RSF in the Hajar Tuwayni region, an ammunition depot belonging to RSF was blown-up and live ammunition was fired at displaced persons in the Kalmah camp resulting in 23 deaths (including four children) and 60 injuries (including 10 civilians). In addition, 43 leaders of the Ma‘aliya and Rizeigat tribes in East Darfur state were arrested under the state of emergency and transferred to prisons in Port Sudan, Red Sea State, Kober in Khartoum and North Khartoum State

The Arab Media Network for Crisis deplores the statements made by the director of the security apparatus to extend freedoms and condemns the continued confiscation of newspapers and the threat of journalists

(10 October 2018) The Arab Media Network for Crisis is concerned about the restrictions on press freedom, freedom of opinion, expression and publication practiced by the Sudanese authorities, represented by the Security and Intelligence Service, the Sudanese Parliament and the Ministry of Culture in various forms, in violation of the Sudanese Constitution and the human rights instruments signed and ratified by the Government of Sudan. With misleading and false statements made by the Director of the Security and Intelligence on the extension of freedoms in the country.

(10 October 2018) On 4th October 2018, a community leader was shot dead by suspected military intelligence (MI) members in Umbrambeta town of South Kordufan/ Sudan. The reason is not known yet.

Amnesty International: Five years later and no justice for 185 protesters shot dead by security forces

(9 October 2018) The Sudanese authorities are yet to bring to justice a single person for the killing of at least 185 people who were shot either in the head, chest or back by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the police during the country’s infamous September 2013 protests on the high cost of living, Amnesty International said today in a statement to the UN Human Rights Committee.

ACJPS: Violations against Immigrants: ACJPS’ Report on Illegal Immigration and the Violations Related to the Rights of Asylum Seekers in Sudan

ACJPS: Sudan Restricts Freedom of Expression

(October 2018) The proposed amendments of the Media and publication law extends restrictions to online media.

On 21 June 2018, Sudanese Ministers Council passed the proposed amendments of the 2009 media and publication law indoors. This makes it easy for the national assembly to pass it since the ruling party (National Congress party) has the majority of members in the Sudanese Parliament.

According to article 4 of the law, the media and publication council is granted jurisdiction over newspapers. Under Article 9, the power of the council to approve the licence of online newspapers is extended to include the online media.

Sudan Democracy First Group: Tales of the Tombstones: The Discrimination Against Sudanese Students from Darfur in Sudanese Universities

(1 October 2018) Sudan Democracy First Group releases its latest report that is titled (Tales of the Tombstones: The Discrimination Against Sudanese Students from Darfur in Sudanese Universities). The report researches and documents the extent and nature of the increasing violations against the Sudanese students descending from Darfur region in the Sudanese universities since the outbreak of the armed conflict in the Darfur in 2003.

The research report relied on a descriptive analytical approach and collected data through direct interviews with students from the region who had been subjected to abuses and violations, as well as interviews with lawyers and activists who are working in defending the rights of these students. The research team also reviewed the files of fifty-five legal cases before the courts relating to systematic violations against these students.

African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies: Study on the war economy in Darfur: The cross-border automobile trade, January 2014 - March 2017

(28 September 2018) Starting in 1989, the Sudanese economy began to lose its memberships in the major economic organizations. That came on the heels of efforts to implement what was called an Islamic economic system, although it was nothing but slogans for which the political Islam project could find no precedents for practical application. In addition, the economy suffered the impact of neglect of agricultural, pastoral and forest resources. Later, by the year 1997, the Sudan had come to depend on oil as a basic resource. Oil revenues were shrouded in secrecy under the control of an influential group within the ruling party. However, revenues were allocated to finance armed struggles against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, and later against armed opposition movements in the Darfur region.

The Sudan started making efforts to meet the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2001. However, it quickly became evident that there were obstacles to the transition to a free market system. The situation remained as it was, without any serious efforts to overcome it, throughout the transitional period of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005-2011). After the separation of South Sudan in 2011 and the loss of oil revenues, forced attempts were made to eliminate subsidies for commodities in 2012, 2013 and 2016 in order to comply with IMF conditions. None of those austerity measures was accompanied by rehabilitation of depleted agricultural resources and forests.

ACJPS/FIDH joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council

(26 September 2018) FIDH and its member organisation, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) thank the Independent Expert for his report and share his concerns that serious human rights challenges are yet to be addressed by the Sudanese government.

Dissenting voices such as those who peacefully protested against high inflation and austerity measures in early 2018 were met with unlawful use of excessive force by government security forces. At least 200 individuals were arrested on January 16th and 17th by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) – including human rights defenders and journalists arrested from their home or office and held incommunicado for more than 3 months; while media coverage were seized and journalists targeted for reporting on the protest.

Arab Network for Media Crisis condemns continued violations by the Sudanese authorities of freedom of opinion and expression

(17 September 2018) Journalistic freedoms and freedom of opinion and expression continue to be subject to fierce and escalating attacks by the Sudanese security authorities, which impose many restrictions to limit the performance of their duties. Journalists and journalists are subjected to unprecedented repression and repression in flagrant violation of the civil and political rights document contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Human rights, embodied in the Sudanese Constitution, which is a departure from the obligations of the Government of the Sudan to the international conventions and agreements that have signed and ratified.

The results monitored by the Arab Network for Media Crisis raise concerns and draw a dark and pessimistic picture of the future of press freedom and freedom of opinion and expression due to the increasing violations of the security apparatus and its continuation as described below.

(13 September 2018) On 8th September 2018, Mr. Aldouma M. Osman died at Um-Rawaba hospital as a result of torture. He was tortured by the Military Intelligence (MI) in Al-Abbasiya after being arrested together with other eight (8) civilians. They were arrested for criticizing a negligent military driver who caused an accident that resulted in serious injuries.

National Human Rights Monitors Organisation: Civilian perspectives on the current ceasefire (cessation of hostilities) in the Nuba Mountains/Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan

(September 2018) Between January and June 2018, the NHRMO spoke to 238 people in the areas under the control of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – North (SPLM/A–N) in Nuba Mountains/Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states of Sudan which are also known as the Two Areas. The objective was to understand their perspectives on the current ceasefire (cessation of hostilities) in SK and BN.

This document is an attempt to project civilian perspectives in the Two Areas on the ceasefire issue in order to provide a platform for the unheard voices in these areas. As a result, it is hoped that these civilian perspectives will reach regional and international policy makers as well as other advocates for peace and people’s wellbeing in the Two Areas so as to bring pressure on the government of Sudan to improve the situation there.

National Human Rights Monitors Organisation: Special Human Rights Update: Violations of the cessation of hostilities in Nuba Mountains / South Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan

(September 2018) This special update covers the period from June 2016 to July 2018 and focuses on the SPLM/A-N controlled areas of Nuba Mountains/Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states of Sudan.

For over two years now, since mid-2016, there has been a fairly effective cessation of hostilities in place in SK and BN. The decisive step taken to cease fighting and stop over five years of regular aerial bombardments was first declared by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir on 16 June 2016 and then subsequently extended several times on a unilateral basis by the belligerent parties (SPLM/A-N and the government of Sudan), in parallel fashion, whenever their respective unilateral ceasefires are about to expire.

However, despite the cessation of hostilities, human rights violations, have continued to be committed, mainly by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias or paramilitary forces though admittedly at a lower rate.

(4 September 2018) The Arab Coalition for Sudan Consents the departure of one of the pioneers of the human rights movement, member and founder of the coalition Dr. Amin Makki Madani Sudan is one of the characters of patriotism, its most prominent political leaders, the most noble men, the world's most courageous men, the brilliant legal expert, the judge, the university professor and the leader of the human rights movement in the Sudan and the Arab world Dr. Amin Makki Madani, the lawyer and the UN consultant in various assessment missions, Sudan, which stepped up its pure spirit on the morning of Friday, 31 August 2018, the Sudanese sacked in a majestic procession to its final resting place.

ACJPS: 31 organisations call for a strong monitoring and reporting mandate on Sudan

(4 September 2018) Excellencies, We write to you in advance of the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to share our serious concerns over the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan. We call upon your delegation to support the development and adoption of a strong monitoring and reporting mandate on Sudan under the Council’s agenda item 4. The resolution should mandate a Special Rapporteur to monitor, verify and report on ongoing human rights violations and abuses as well as violations of international humanitarian law, recommend concrete ways to end them, and urge the Government of Sudan to implement the recommendations made to it by UN human rights bodies and mechanisms, including mechanisms mandated by the Council.

(August 2018) Like elsewhere in Sudan (IFRC, 13 Aug 2018, FEWSNET, 31 Aug 2018), heavy and erratic rains have affected the planting season (June – August) in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The rains were also followed by a dry-spell and pest infestation (birds and insects). This, in combination with seed shortages, have affected the early growing season and it is already having serious consequences on the growing season of long-term sorghum in both areas. Based on this current situation, poor crop production is expected this year. Long maturity type sorghum which is commonly planted has failed in most of the areas. Previously, communities in Blue Nile relied on quick maturing sorghum planted in September and October for the main lean season but with no seeds available and exhaustion of the early maize and sorghum crop, the lean season of 2019 is likely to be early and food insecurity situation worse next year.

The Arab Media Network for Crisis condemns the continued confiscation of newspapers and the arrest and summoning of journalists

(30 August 2018) The Sudanese authorities seized two newspapers, the "Al-Jarida and Shaiha Newspapers" after printing on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. As usual, the confiscation was done without any clear reasons being given and as a "punishment" after publication. Newspapers were confiscated more than ten times in August.

(26 August 2018) Two court sessions were held on 24th July 2018 and 9th August 2018 at Khartoum North before Justice Murshid Ahmed Elamein. In the two court sessions, lawyers panels had to make their last submissions, The judge announced that he would deliver this verdict in the next court session on 12 September 2018.

Situation of Female Human Rights Defenders in Sudan: June 2016 – February 2018

(6 August 2018) Women have been pioneers throughout Sudanese social and political history. Tireless campaigns by female activists have helped women achieve their deserved recognition and go on to defend the human rights of others. At the turn of the twentieth century, Babikir Badri campaigned for women’s right to education and triumphed, laying the foundation for all subsequent activities by women in Sudanese public life. In 1946 and 1947, the Sudanese Women’s League and the Educated Girls Association were founded with the mission of using this education to improve women’s economic and social status; together, these two organisations evolved in 1952 into the influential and still-active Sudanese Women’s Union.

Harassment, threats and revocation of press licence against journalist Ahmed Abakar

(5 August 2018) On July 26, 2018, Alkarama, along with the Arab Media Crisis Network and the Arab Coalition for Sudan – ACS , requested the intervention of several UN experts in the case of Ahmed Abakar, a journalist who has been harassed, threatened and banned from working by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS ). On May 5, and June 7, 2018, Abakar was summoned by the NISS and interrogated about two articles he wrote for the London-based newspaper Sharq Al Awsat , which focused on political divisions within the ruling party and the NISS’s seizure of a newspaper issue . On June 14, 2018, the NISS requested that the External Information Council of the Ministry of Information revoke Abakar’s press licence and press card, and banned him from working as a journalist and writer in the country. During and prior to these events, the NISS repeatedly threatened Abakar with being arrested, and told him that he would no longer be able to work as a journalist.

Arab Media Crisis Network condemns the restriction of Sudanese journalists from entering parliament

(2 August 2018) The freedom of opinion and expression in the Sudan is facing a terrible deterioration , which is considered as the worst in the Arab world, a normal result of the vicious attack and the organized campaign followed by the Sudanese authorities targeting newspapers and journalists, beyound the limits of the Sudanese law and constitution, and the comittements of the Government of Sudan to human rights standards and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights it endoresed and ratified it.

(19 July 2018) Two court sessions were held on 26th June and 3rd July 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice/ Murshid Ahmed Elamein. The prosecutor was not present in court but all the other parties attended. Court was adjourned to 24th July and 2nd August 2018.

(26 June 2018) On 7th June 2018, the MI in Al-Abbasiya released Mohammed Awad Bakheit with severe torture scars and he is in a bad psychological condition. He was released after spending more than three months in solitary confinement.

(20 June 2018) One of the two scheduled court sessions was conducted on 6th June 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice/ Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. The prosecutor was not present in court but all the other parties attended. Court was adjourned to 27th and 28th June 2018.

Sudan Democracy First Group United Nations Security Council’s Accelerated Proposal for UNAMID Withdrawal: The Safety of Civilians in Darfur Is Not for Political Trade

(1st June 2018) Earlier this week, reliable sources have confirmed to Sudan Democracy First Group (SDFG), that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is holding discussions within itself, for a new proposal regarding the status of the United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which will significantly decrease the mandate and scope of the mission’s work. The new proposal is intended to confine the mandate of the UNAMID to only the Jebel Mara area, with immediate effect. Moreover, it will significantly reduce the Human Rights and Monitoring responsibilities of the mission. Furthermore, the proposal includes the fast-tracking of the withdrawal plan of the UNAMID from Darfur and effectively closes all mission bases, apart from the one in Zalingi, the capital city of Central Darfur state. This accelerated exit plan aims to complete the withdrawal of the entire mission from Darfur within two years. This proposal emerged after the conclusion of a three days visit to Darfur, by a delegation from UNSC Member states from the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and the Netherlands, that commenced on the 10th May 2018.

(3 June 2018) The four court sessions were scheduled for 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th May 2018 respectively. Only two of them were took place and the other two were postponed because the defendants’ panel failed to bring their witnesses. The court sessions were held at Khartoum North court before Justice/ Abdeen Hamid Dhahi and apart from the prosecutor all other parties attended. Court was adjourned to 5th and 6th June 2018.

ACJPS: Report on the violations and attacks against the property of non-Muslims in Sudan 2010-2017

(28 April 2018) The Sudanese civil and political circles and those concerned with the Sudan were shocked by the news that the management of Hurriyat online newspaper has decided to suspend the publishing of the newspapers due to financial reasons and lack of funding from donors.

(25 April 2018) The absence of aerial bombardments and ground fighting has brought relief to the people of South Kordofan and Blue Nile but incidents of cattle looting by armed militias continue in the midst of serious drought, malnutrition and hunger.

(23 April 2018) Two court sessions were held on 11th and 18th April 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi and were only attended by both lawyers' panels. The two sessions were intended to be procedural for handing over the case file but it turned out that the same judge will continue to preside over the trial. The next court session is scheduled for 25th April 2018.

ACJPS: Attacks by Sudanese Government Foces on Civilians in Jebel Marra in South Darfur

(18 April 2018) From 9 March – 2 April 2018, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has documented a number of attacks perpetrated against civilian targets in East Jebel Marra in South Darfur state by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces and other government sponsored militias. The attacks took place in the villages of: Feina, Dalo, Dawa , Dolda , Libei, Sawani ,Rakoona, Fouli, Duwa, and Kidineer. At least 15,000 civilians have been displaced to the neighbouring mountains in each area. In the areas of Jawa, Seena , Feina , Dawa Sawani and Rakoona at least 23 civilians were killed and tens seriously injured, 12 villages were set on fire and burnt to the ground. The attacks were precipitated by fighting in Eastern Jebel Marra between the government forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdelwahid (SLA-AW).

- The 2017 harvest, although better than last year, has not improved overall food security in the conflict areas.

- A joint assessment in March to Wadaka Payam, Blue Nile, revealed that displaced people rely on roots to survive and lack basic services.

(11 April 2018) The African Centre of Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) documented human rights violations associated with attacks on civilians that occurred in South Kodofan from January to March 2018. The Military Intelligence has continued to target civilians with arbitrary arrest and detention on basis of their perceived political affiliation with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North. ACJPS also documented the rape, at gun point, of a 20 year old by an officer of the Sudan Armed Forces and the killing of three civilians by two soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North.

(7 April 2018) The court session was held on 28th March 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice/ Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. Apart from the prosecutor, all parties were present. During this session, three defending witnesses delivered their testimonies. The next court session is scheduled for 11th April 2018.

(April 2018) Sudan Democracy First Group (SDFG) is pleased to announce the launch of its new initiative, the Sudanese Initiative for Countering Violent Extremism (SICVE), which seeks to formulate a general strategy, based on a humanitarian vision, that address the phenomenon of violent extremism through research, studies, conferences and consultations with and among specialists in the field. This initiative is the result of numerous consultations and in-depth discussions among members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), the Executive Team and experts and researchers in this field. These discussions concluded that the phenomenon of violent extremism is one of the most important challenges facing Sudan, the region and the whole world. The discussion also realized that the efforts to confront this challenge in Sudan, the region and the world, have focused primarily on security, intelligence and military force entry points, in addition to some intellectual efforts that lack systematic, strategic linkages and trajectory. For all these reasons, SDFG launched the "Sudanese Initiative for Countering Violent Extremism”, with the objective to conduct a gap analysis and thorough researches and studies on the phenomenon, in hope to eventually present strategies with alternative narratives, to counter violent terrorism

(21 March 2018) Two court sessions were held on 7th and 14th March 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice/ Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. The first session was the judge finalizing questioning the defendants while the other session is the judge delivering the court accusations against the defendants. The next court session is scheduled for 28th March 2018.

On 5th March 2018, Mohammed Awad Bakheit was arrested by MI in Al-Abbasiya two days after the Kalenda murder incident. His whereabouts is unknown and he is suspected to be under torture.

(19 March 2018) On 2nd March 2018, three unarmed civilians were murdered in Kalenda village of South Kordufan/ Sudan by SPLA-N soldiers led by an officer. The reason for the murder is not known yet.

(5 March 2018) The court session was held on 28 February 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. Apart from the prosecutor, all parties were present. At the session, the judge continued questioning the defendants. The next court session is scheduled for 7 March.

(February 2018) Clashes in Blue Nile between the two SPLM-N faction. Reports have been received of clashes on 17, 22, and 29 February with displacement of at least 500 households.

A substantial food gap is predicted in the Two Areas with projections for the coming lean season suggesting food stock will only last through April in South Kordofan and through March in Blue Nile.

(27 February 2018) The court sessions were held on 14th and 21st February 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi, all parties were present. The next court session is scheduled for 28th February 2018.

(20 February 2018) United Lawyers appeal to the National Commission for Human Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to review the detention of Ahmed Abulrahim Abdullah, a 16 year old student.

(February 16, 2018) Projections for the coming leans season suggest food stocks from the ongoing harvest will last through April in South Kordofan and through March in Blue Nile. This leaves a substantial gap as the next harvest would begin, at earliest, in August.
• There remains little to no access to basic pediatric care or medical supplies in both South Kordofan and Blue Nile, putting the child population at elevated risk of death from treatable diseases.
• Schools in Blue Nile were not able to resume in October along their typical calendar. By January only schools in Yabus payam were functioning.
• Tensions remain high in Blue Nile. While active conflict has greatly subsided, mediation between parties to the conflict is needed to ensure stability and provide access for humanitarians.

Open letter concerning the crackdown on peaceful protests and the wave of arbitrary arrests and continued incommunicado detentions by Sudanese government forces

(February 14, 2018) We, the undersigned Sudanese, African and international organisations, write to you in your capacities as Special Procedure mandate holders to draw your attention to the worrying developments concerning the excessive use of force by Sudanese authorities to disperse peaceful protests across Sudan. We urge you to call on the Government of Sudan to respect the peoples’ rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression as guaranteed in international standards and UN treaties ratified by Sudan and refrain from using excessive force to disperse protests.

(February 12, 2018) There was a general reduction in violations and abuses in both states of South Kordufan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) particularly BN state due to frequent announcements of cease fire by both warring parties. The period covered in this report is between January and December 2017. Some of the incidents have not been conclusively investigated and others like the court trials are still going on. The state of emergency in the two states under conflict has been on since 2011 as well as the status of insecurity.

(7 February 2018) The court session was held on 31st January 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. All parties were present except the prosecutor. The next court session is expected to hear testimonies from Al Abbasiya's former governor and Tagali Ommda (mayor).

(5 February 2018) This document is based on the reports received from human rights monitors in different counties of Nuba Mountains, Southern Kordofan state, Sudan which indicate that the civilians in the areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army--North (SPLM/A-N) are suffering from lack of food, shelter, medicine and water, as well as basic social services like health care and education, among other needs.

(28 January 2018) The court session was held on 24th January 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. Apart from the prosecutor who was absent, the following were present; the investigator, defendents, the panel of lawyers and the general public. The next court session will be on 31st January 2018.

(24 January 2018) On 14th January, S.K. was raped by two members of the Popular Defense Forces in Um Brembeta, Sudan. The victim reported the case at Um-Brambeta police but the police did not carry out investigation or arrest the perpetrators.

ACJPS: Five IDPs killed as SAF and RSF use live ammunition to disperse a protest in Central Darfur

(24 January 2018) At least 5 people were killed and 26 others sustained gunshot wounds when joint forces of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) opened live ammunition on a crowd of protestors at Hasahisa camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Zalingi, Central Darfur, on 20 January.

(22 January 2018) This update contains two court sessions that were held on 10th and 17th January 2018 at Khartoum North court before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi. The next court session will be on 24th January 2018.

ACJPS: 79 activists detained incommunicado amidst heavy crackdown on popular protests in Sudan

(22 January 2018) The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is deeply concerned for the safety of 79 individuals who are currently detained incommunicado following a recent government crackdown in response to popular protests that have occurred across Sudan since the beginning of January.

ACJPS: South Kordofan: Students from Aldalang University arbitrarily arrested after SAF officer shot two students to death

(18 January 2018) The African Centre of Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is concerned for the safety and well-being of students from Aldalang University in South Kordofan who have been arbitrarily arrested after joint security forces (National Intelligence and Security Services, Military Intelligence, Sudan Armed Forces and Police) raided the university following a student protest staged after an officer of the Sudan Armed Forces indiscriminately shot and killed two students on the university campus. At least 49 students were detained during the raid. ACJPS has serious concerns for the five students currently detained incommunicado at the Military Intelligence offices in Aldalang.

ACJPS: 18 Individuals Arbitrarily Detained in the Wake of Anti-Austerity Protests Throughout Sudan

(12 January 2018) The Government of Sudan has responded to widespread disgruntlement over recent austerity measures by arresting and detaining opposition political party members, activists and individuals; censoring newspapers by seizing their daily print runs prior to distribution and use of force (including firing live ammunition) to disperse protests. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is aware of 18 individuals, including opposition political party leaders, students, advocates and human rights defenders, currently under custody in Sennar, North Kordofan, Kassala, Khartoum and Blue Nile states without charge or access to family and/or legal representation.

ACJPS: 8 Newspapers Prevented from Distribution by NISS Amidst Protests Against Recent Austerity Measures

(9 January 2018) On 7-9 January 2018, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) visited Khartoum's printing houses and confiscated the entire print runs of six newspapers without giving reasons.

SDFG: The Framework of the Public Order Laws in Sudan: Tools for Repression and Totalitarian Domination

(3 January 2018) Sudan's Public Order Law's legal framework is composed of a set of legal provisions from the Sudanese Criminal Law Act and the Community Safety Act. It came into effect and was applied for the first time in Khartoum State as the Public Order Act (hereinafter the Act), following the 1989 coup, which brought the National Islamis Front into power.

(1 January 2018) The court session was held on Wednesday 27 December 2017 at 11:30 before Justice Abdeen Hamid Dhahi at Khartoum North court, all parties were present. After the session, the judge adjourned court to 10th January 2018.

ACJPS: Report on the application of the Sudanese Anti-terrorism Act 2001 against the human rights defenders in Sudan. Arabic version

(18 December 2017) Report on the eapplication of the Sudanese Anti-terrorism Act.

(12 December 2017) The court session was held on Wednesday 6th December 2017 at 11:40 AM before Justice/ Abdeen Hamid Dhahi at Khartoum North court. All parties attended except the prosecutors, though one of them joined later. The session’s main activities were the investigator’s final submission and the cross examination by the lawyers. At the end, the judge announced that the next court session will be on 13th December 2017.

ACJPS: Update: Four newspapers continue to face post print censorship as Sudanese authorities repeatedly prevent the distribution of their daily print runs

(3 December 2017) Officials of the National Intelligence and Security Services have continued to subject newspapers to post-print censorship of 6 newspapers, the NISS has continued to prevent the distribution of daily print runs of 4 newspapers who had been subjected to repeated censorship in November.

ACJPS: Six newspapers prevented from distribution and a media house faces a two-day suspension

(30 November 2017) The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies has documented five incidents of post-press censorship carried out by officials of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) against six media houses in the month of November. ACJPS has also documented a two-day suspension that was imposed on Algareeda newspaper by the Press and Publications Council follwoing the publication of an article that hinted to a sexual harassment claim against a Sudanese diplomat.

(28 November 2017) The court of appeal ruled that the decision by Khartoum North court should be maintained (upheld). This was in response to the objections/appeal by the military's legal consultant. The judge/justice announced 29th November for the coming court session.

(8 November 2017) On 22 October 2017, Public Order Police arrested five Christian leaders from Christ Church in Elthawra of Omdurman. This incident (arrest) came after the police had forcefully obstructed church members from worship.

(25 October 2017) The fourth (4th) court session which was scheduled for 18th October 2017 at Khartoum North court was postponed to unknown date until a verdict from the court of appeal is made. The military’s legal consultant had earlier appealed the court order.

(October 2017) Food security remains a major challenge due to the shortage of farmland caused by the military frontlines, and the terraced agriculture is now showing signs of social deficiency and stunted crop growth; a significant number of farms (21) and pastoral land were reported destroyed by fire along frontlines in South Kordofan; new details from Kaw and Warni suggest the shrinking population faces a dire humanitarian situation; schools have reopened in South Kordofan, not in Blue Nile, but lack of school fees, school material and teachers' incentives remain a major obstacle for a quality education.

US lifts sanctions on Sudan despite opposition from Sudanese in the Nuba Mountains

(October 2017) The United States (US) permanently lifted a two-decade set of sanctions against Sudan on 12 October 2017, meaning that the US-trade embargo against Sudan and the freeze of its assets in the US is removed. It is a big achievement for Sudan as it can now re-enter the global financial system where it had been isolated for 20 years. However, Sudan stays on the US list for state sponsors of terrorism although the US said that the country had made progress in fighting terrorism.

Press release on the confiscation of the Sudanese authorities to the newspaper "newspaper"

(October 2017) The Arab Network for Crisis Information condemns the confiscation of the Sudanese authorities Saturday, October 14, 2017 from the newspaper "Al-Jarida" after printing it from the printing press because of the publication of an opinion article by the writer Al-Fatih Jabra in the previous issue of confiscation, which was followed by the authorities to drain the resources of the newspapers and bankruptcy. The Arab Network for Crisis Information rejects this behavior by the Sudanese authorities represented by the National Security and Intelligence Service.

(September 2017) Blue Nile continues to face a dire humanitarian situation with thousands displaced by violence and flooding. Initial estimates put the number of internally displaced around 27,000, over a third of the population. • Heavy rains and displacement threatens the 2018 harvest in Blue Nile, creating a very poor food security outlook. • Active fighting and human rights concerns continue in and around Blue Nile, more assistance is badly needed to address the ongoing conflict. • New details from Kaw and Warni suggest the shrinking population faces a dire humanitarian situation.

(September 19, 2017) The Al Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development, together with our partners in the Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum and Pax today launched the report on how laws and policies across the Horn of Africa are shrinking the space for civil society.

(1 September 2017) On 14th August 2017, court police forced pastor/ Yahya Abdurrahman and Pastor/ Sediq Abdalla to vacate their houses due to adjudication which was wrongfully implemented. The families of the two pastors stayed on the roadside (open space) as police objected to the family’s’ pleas and explanation.

(27 August 2017) Since June 2011 to present time South Kordufan/ Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile states of Sudan have undergone through conflict. This resulted in many atrocities and different human rights violations intensified by the state of emergency that was declared by Sudan government. The government of Sudan (GoS) later formed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) a replica of Janjaweed militia. The GoS equipped the RSF with more destructive equipment and enlarged their field of work to include the two states (SK and BN) in addition to Darfur.

The aim of this report is to bring to light the human rights violations and abuses taking place in SK and BN states (government territory) of Sudan and the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the two states, from January to June 2017. The information included in this report was gathered by trained human rights monitors using information gathering tools developed under the tutorage of Human Rights Capacity Building Program of Amnesty International - Netherlands (HURICAP/ AI-NL) and compiled by trained reporting panel. The report does not cover all incidents that occurred due to many challenges.

(14 August 2017) The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has documented a surge in restrictions on media freedoms in Sudan between late May and mid July 2017. There is an immediate concern for the safety of three Sudanese online bloggers resident in Saudi Arabia deported to Khartoum at the behest of the Sudanese government on 11 July. The whereabouts of the three men remain unknown and family members have been unable to obtain confirmation of their detention or wellbeing from relevant Sudanese authorities. A number of other journalists were summoned and interrogated by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in connection with articles they wrote, and the NISS prevented the distribution of five newspapers after publication.

Criminal charges leveled against journalists in Sudan often lack legitimacy and unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression. The use of defamation legislation is often used to curb the criticism of officials and to encourage self-censorship.

(July 2017) Blue Nile continues to face conflict, further destabilizing a population in critical need of humanitarian assistance. • A recent SMART Survey in South Kordofan depicts critical malnutrition, with some metrics exceeding the WHO emergency threshold. • Food security remains a major challenge in both areas with the coming harvest not yet ready. Markets reportedly have limited food at very high costs and the population continues to depend on extreme coping mechanisms. • Flooding and sporadic rains affect both areas, with temporary flooding related displacements reported and the potential for diminished agricultural yields with long dry spells followed by short heavy rains.

(26 June 2017) The proposal to the UN Security Council (UNSC) to downsize the joint UN/AU Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is an open invitation to accelerate violence against civilians in Darfur. Based on a flawed diagnosis of the current challenge in Darfur by the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), downsizing will leave civilians in Darfur “more vulnerable to abuses of all kinds by the Sudanese army, paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and other militias operating in the region”.

(June 2017) The Watch is a publication of the Horn of African Civil Society Forum (HOACS Forum) is intended to provide updates on practical conditions for CSOs in the region.

Sudanese human rights monitoring group Huqooq release June 2017 observational report

The crackdown on human rights in Sudan remains alarming, with continuing repression of students activists, political opponents, media, and arbitrary detentions of students activists from Darfur. Over the last month of June 2017, Huqooq has documented human rights violations in Khartoum, Bakht Alruda, and Kosti in White Nile state, Port Sudan, Kassla Eastern Sudan and El Geneina in West Darfur state and one case in Nyala South Darfur, the rights being violated including use of force, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association, arbitrary arrest, torture and other ill-treatment in detention, public order police and arrest of South Sudanese refugees.

The violations documented in this report were committed by National Intelligence and Security Service NISS, police forces, and the newly formed University police forces. The forces used excessive force to break-up peaceful meetings targeting students and political opponent activists.

Sudanese authorities have been unjustly holding Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Hafiz Idris, and Mobarak Adam Abdalla, three human rights defenders, and have charged them with 'crimes against the state' which carry the death penalty, 26 human rights groups said today. Dr. Mudawi Ibahim Adam and Hafiz Idris have been held for approximately seven months, and Mobarak Adam Abdalla for over three months.

Sudanese national security officials arrested Mudawi and Hafiz on December 7 and November 24, respectively, and held both men in detention in Khartoum for over five months without charges. Mobarak, a student, was arrested on 25 March 2017. Credible sources report that Hafiz and Mobarak were severely beaten, and that Hafiz was given electric shocks and forced to make a confession. Dr. Mudawi has been denied essential medication. All three men are currently being held in Kober prison.

IRRI joined with over 30 other organizations and prominent individuals in signing a petition drafted by SUDO (UK). The petition demands that the government of Sudan guarantee the safety and physical and psychological well-bring of all detainees, and to immediately release Mudawi, Hafiz, and Mobarak and all other human rights defenders detained on trumped up political charges. TShould a trial proceed, the petition also affirms the rights of Mudawi, Hafiz and Mobarak to a fair trial before an impartial, independent, and competent tribunal.

The Sudan News Network (SuNN) is a regular newsletter published by the Al Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment on human rights in Sudan in both English and Arabic. This issue include articles on "Mudawi Ibrahim Adam: A Life of Defiance and Struggle," "Martyr Awadeya Agabna ... when justice falls!" "Political settlement, between pressures and promises," "The 'Public Order' Whipped 15,000 Women in a Single Year" and more.

Human Rights Update: March through May 2017
While airstrikes have eased, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the government sponsored Popular Defence Forces militia continue to breach ceasefire through violent looting incursions into SPLA/M-N controlled areas of Southern Kordofan.

The months of March, April and May 2017 were still under the ceasefire agreement which began last year and all incidents reported here constitute a breach of the ceasefire. A four month unilateral ceasefire was first declared by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir on 17 June 2016 and extended in October to the end of 2016. Following the partial lifting of sanctions on Sudan by the US in January 2017, the ceasefire was extended by another six months.

Due to the ongoing ceasefire, the situation in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states has been relatively calm, by the area’s standards, mainly as a result of the lack of aerial bombardment of civilian areas. However, this period has been characterised by the looting of livestock (i.e. goats, sheep and cattle) in SK, undermining peoples’ livelihoods at a time of drought and ensuing food insecurity. Almost every household in SK has livestock and while only richer households hold cattle, most others will hold 30-70 goats and 20-40 sheep. The poorer households will have much less. Unfortunately, whenever there is looting all animals that are owned by the household(s) concerned are taken.

Human Rights Update: December 2016, January and February 2017
SAF and PDF breach the ceasefire: attacks on civilians persist despite the lifting of sanctions on Sudan

The Sudan Consortium has been working with a group of trusted local Sudanese partners who have been monitoring human rights violations committed against the civilian population in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile since the current conflict began in 2011.

Their information provides strong evidence that civilians are being directly and deliberately targeted by the Sudanese government in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile as all the attacks referred to in this report were launched against areas that were clearly identifiable as civilian in character.

The period from December 2016 to the end of February 2017 was under ceasefire and all incidents that are reported in this document constituted a breach of the ceasefire. A four month unilateral ceasefire was first declared by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, on 17 June 2016, and extended in October to the end of 2016. Following the partial lifting of sanctions on Sudan by the USA, Sudan extended the ceasefire by another six months.

2016 Report on the human rights situation in Southern Kordofan/Blue Nile States, Sudan released
Annual report delves into human rights violations, progress made last year

The report brings to light human rights violations and abuses taking place in SK and BN states (government territory) of Sudan and the situation of internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from these areas. The information included in this report was gathered by trained monitors using an instrument developed under supervision of HURICAP/ AI-NL and compiled by a trained reporting panel. The report does not cover all incidents that occurred due to many challenges and limitations.

This report covers the following human rights violations: arbitrary arrest and torture carried out by Military Intelligence (MI) and National Intelligence and security Services (NISS) in conflict areas; extrajudicial killing and death under torture mostly carried out by military and their allied militias (the Rapid Support Force and People Defense Force (PDF); and sexual assault by police. Due to corruption and impunity, investigations into state-sponsored murder and sexual assault rarely moved forward.

This report gives recommendations calling on both parties at war to respect international human rights laws. It also calls upon regional and international bodies to compel the Government of Sudan (GoS) to respect international human rights and humanitarian laws.

Court trial of NISS/Sudan against pastors and activist
Judge Abdalla delivers decision

The twenty first (21st) court session was conducted on 29th January 2017 before Justice Dr. Osama M. Abdalla at Khartoum Centre court and all parties were present. During this session, activists, media and the general public turned up in big numbers and the judge delivered his verdict.

Human Rights Update: October and November 2016
Gradual increase in violence sows fear among communities in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile

During the months of October and November 2016 incidents of human rights violations in Southern Kordofan (SK) seemed to be on the rise following a lull in the fighting over the previous few months and the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate. There were nine shelling incidents, generating 89 shells, one looting incident, one bombing incident and one abduction, with three people injured. The shelling incidents created a lot of fear among the population, discouraging some from going to the fields. Antonov planes have been seen circling several times in both SK and Blue Nile (BN) states but our monitors did not report any incidents in BN during the period. All incidents mentioned in this report constitute a breach of the four month unilateral ceasefire declared by the President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, on 17 June 2016, and extended in October to the end of 2016.

Court trial of NISS/Sudan against pastors and activist
Witnesses give testimony, court adjourned until 23 January

This update is a summary of five court sessions that were conducted between 19th December 2016 and 9th January 2017. The sessions were before Justice Dr. Osama M. Abdalla at Khartoum Centre court and all parties were present. During those sessions, three accusing witnesses and two defense witnesses delivered their testimonies. The witnesses were questioned by both the lawyers' panel and the judge. The judge also examined the defendants. On 9th January 2017, the twentieth court session was held and the judge adjourned the court after instructing both panels of lawyers to submit their closing arguments before 23rd January 2017, the day he had scheduled to make a final court ruling.

Human Rights Update: July, August and September,
Welcome calm but fear of resumed aerial bombing in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile remains

Since June 2016, the incidents of violence and human rights violations carried out by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states (also known as the “Two Areas”) have reduced significantly. This is not unusual for the time of the year since the period June to November is the rainy season and fighting has traditionally been low as roads are flooded and rendered impassable for any military operations. The difference this time is that the President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, declared a four month ceasefire on 17 June 2016. This unilateral ceasefire declaration is applicable to SK, BN (and Darfur) and all the incidents mentioned in this report constitute a breach of this ceasefire. There was some bombing by SAF planes in SK and the planes have been sighted circling the skies in both SK and BN for several months but without dropping bombs. There are also reports indicating new movement of SAF troops and formations, as well as new battle equipment, at the frontlines in the Two Areas.

(20 December 2016) A prominent Sudanese human rights defender (HRD), Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, is currently detained incommunicado by the country’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). Dr. Mudawi was arrested at the University of Khartoum, where he is a professor, on 7 December 2016 alongside his longtime driver, Adam El Sheikh Mukhtar. Both men are currently being held without charge or access to their families and lawyers at NISS headquarters near Shande Bus Station. The 22 undersigned organisations express serious concerns regarding the two men’s safety and well-being whilst in the custody of the NISS.

Urgent concern for detainees held incommunicado amidst Sudan’s growing civil disobedience campaign

(15 December 2016) The Government of Sudan has responded to a growing civil disobedience campaign by arresting and detaining incommunicado at least forty two political opposition party leaders, activists, and individuals, including one prominent human rights defender, Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, and censoring newspapers by seizing their print editions prior to distribution. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is aware of at least thirty seven individuals currently held at National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) headquarters near Shande Bus Station without charge or access to their families and lawyers. ACJPS is particularly concerned about four individuals who are detained by the NISS in unknown locations. This includes activist Fatima Mohamed Ahmed, and members of the Pharmacists’ Association, Arif Awad and Mahmoud Mohamed Abdalla, who were arrested after publicly condemning the detention of their colleagues who were arrested days prior. The NISS has denied having a member of the Teacher’s Strike Committee, Al Shazali Mohamed Abdalla, in their custody, despite reports that he was arrested from his home in Omdurman on 26 November.

NGOs call on UN Special Procedures to Intervene on behalf of detained TRACKs Leaders

(12 December 2016) We, the undersigned African and international non-governmental organizations, are writing to bring to your attention in your capacities as Special Procedure mandate holders worrying developments concerning the detention and trial of ten human rights defenders in Sudan. We urge you to call on the Government of Sudan to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against ten staff members and affiliates of the Centre for Training and Human Development (TRACKs), an organization which provides training on a range of issues from IT to human rights, in two overlapping cases that include crimes against the state. Crimes against the state charges carry the death penalty.

The fourteenth (14th) court hearing was held on 5th December 2016. The session was before Justice Dr. Osama M. Abdalla at Khartoum Centre court and all parties were present. During this session, the complainant (NISS representative) was questioned again (re-examined) by the accusation panel. Thereafter, the first accusation’s witness delivered his testimony and questioned by both lawyers panels. The judge adjourned court to 12th December 2016.

(6 December 2016) In Central Region, South Kordofan a severe decline in food security is imminent due to: a) failure of rains in August impacting the early harvest of sorghum, b) struggling markets due to SSP hyperinflation, and c) increasing numbers of returnees and IDPs due to the closure of the Yida refugee camp and ongoing displacement caused by pre-rainy season advances made by SAF. Blue Nile also faces declines in humanitarian conditions due to increasing localised conflict with Maban communities hosting refugees.

(17 November 2016) Three leading civil society activists will soon reach their sixth month of detention on baseless charges related solely to their work and affiliation with the Centre for Training and Human Development (TRACKs), a Khartoum-based organisation that provides training on a variety of topics from information technology to human rights. The detainees - TRACKs Director Khalafalla al Afif Mukhtar, together with trainer Midhat Afif al-Deen Hamdan, and the director of another organisation, Alzarqaa Organisation for Rural Development, Mustafa Adam – face charges together with seven other activists affiliated with TRACKs in two overlapping criminal cases. Six members of the group, including the three detainees, are currently standing trial.

Our organisations have serious concerns that not only are the charges baseless but that the court proceedings have not met international and regional standards on the right to a fair trial, including the right to a public hearing. The defendents have not been provided with a written list of the charges they face

(16 November 2016) Throughout the month of September 2016, SUDO (UK)’s network of human rights monitors have documented and verified 61 incidents of human rights abuses in Sudan involving eight Sudanese states. SUDO (UK) has assessed that 52 of the reports concern new instances of human rights abuses. The other nine reports concern five updates on ongoing court proceedings and four reports on the release of civilians from containers in Blue Nile over the month of September.

In many conflicts around the world children are not safe. As the former UN Secretary-General's Expert on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children noted “[n]ot only are large numbers of children killed and injured…but countless others grow up deprived of their material and emotional needs, including the structures that give meaning to social and cultural life. The entire fabric of their societies – their homes, schools, health systems and religious institutions – is torn to pieces.” The ongoing conflicts in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur states are no exception.

Aerial bombing decreases but three children are killed by explosive remnants of war

The month of June saw the fewest reported incidents of violence and human rights violations carried out directly or indirectly by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states since January 2016. Most of the incidents reported were carried out before the declaration of a four month ceasefire by Sudan’s President, Omar Al Bashir, on 17 June 2016. Whilst a welcome relief for the civilians of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, the period of the ceasefire corresponds with the rainy season when fighting has traditionally been extremely low.

Call for an independent international investigation into the use of chemical weapons and other serious violations of international humanitarian law in Darfur

The undersigned organisations wish to kindly draw your attention to the allegations of the use, by the government of Sudan, of chemical weapons against civilians in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur, Sudan. Noting the restrictions on access to the Jebel Marra area and much of Darfur imposed by the Sudanese government, we urge you to call for the Government of Sudan to grant immediate access to the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), human rights and humanitarian organisations and journalists to verify these allegations and deliver humanitarian assistance.

The conflict in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan (SK) state between the government and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N), which started in June 2011, continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of civilians. Civilians have been killed, injured and displaced on a massive scale.

Background
Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005, SK, along with the state of Blue Nile (BN) and the area of Abyei, were given special consideration. The CPA brought to an end the North-South civil war, and was intended to offer a broader framework for peaceful coexistence in Sudan. Unlike the South, these areas were not given referenda on independence. Instead, the status of SK and BN was to be decided through popular consultations and Abyei was to get its own referendum on whether to join the North or the South. However, Abyei never got its referendum and the popular consultation process in SK and BN was undermined. Political will to address the needs of these areas deteriorated and, combined with other unresolved issues in the CPA, tensions escalated in SK to the point that conflict broke out in June 2011.

Letter from 33 NGOs and individuals regarding the human rights situation in Sudan in advance of the 33rd session of the UN Human Rights Council

(7 September 2016) Our organisations write to you in advance of the opening of the 33rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to share our serious concerns regarding the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan. Many of these abuses are detailed in the attached annex.

We draw your attention to the Sudanese government’s continuing abuses against civilians in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, including unlawful attacks on villages and indiscriminate bombing of civilians. We are also concerned about the continuing repression of civil and political rights, in particular the ongoing crackdown on protesters and abuse of independent civil society and human rights defenders. In a recent example in March 2016, four representatives of Sudanese civil society were intercepted by security officials at Khartoum International Airport on their way to a high level human rights meeting with diplomats that took place in Geneva on 31 March. The meeting was organised by the international NGO, UPR Info, in preparation for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sudan that took place in May.

(Kampala, 6 September 2016) Five years after the start of the conflict in Sudan's Blue Nile State, attacks against civilians continue unabated according to a report released by the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) and the National Human Rights Monitors Organisation (NHRMO) today.

A Crisis Normalised: Civilian perspectives on the conflict in Sudan's Blue Nile State explores the views of civilians displaced from or living within Blue Nile on the causes and consequences of the conflict between the Sudanese government and Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army - North (SPLM/A-N). The report is based on interviews carried out in April and May 2016 in SPLM/A-N held Blue Nile as well as in Juba and Maban refugee camp in South Sudan.

Attacks against civiliand in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile (also known as the "Two Areas") continued in May, albeit at a reduced rate compared to incidents reported during the previous two months. Our monitors recorded a total of 29 incidents in the Two Areas with the majority of them (20 out of the 29) taking place in Southern Kordofan's Heiban County resulting in the deaths of six children from a single incident.

During the month of July 2016, SUDO (UK)’s network of human rights monitors have reported and verified 66 incidents relating to the abuse of human rights across Sudan involving eight Sudanese states. Enclosed within the 66 reports, SUDO (UK) has assessed that forces under the direct control of the Government of Sudan were responsible for 32 instances of human rights abuses, whilst forces categorised as Janjaweed and/or pro-government were responsible for 30 abuses. The Armed Opposition movements were accountable for four abuses, whilst members of a Nuweiba ethnic militia were responsible for one instance. In total, 67 actors were identified as perpetrators within the 66 reports.

After 86 days in detention, Khalaf-Allah Al-Afif Muktar, Mustafa Adam and Midhat Afifaddin Hamadan face capital charges filed against them by the State Security Prosecution Office. Yesterday, Monday,15 August 2016, they were transferred to Al-Huda Prison in Omdurman North.

Incidents slightly decrease but casualities increase. The impact of the conflict on children was particularly marked

(2 August 2016) The Government of Sudan (GoS) continued its “summer offensive” in April 2016 characterised by two major trends. Firstly, it continued with the ground offensive it began in March 2016, pressing hard against the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) particularly in the counties of Heiban, Delami and Umdorien. Secondly, it tried to consolidate its positions in the villages it had captured from SPLA-N, namely Alazrag village (in Heiban County) and Mardis village (in Delami County).

On 1st August 2016, the land authorities in Khartoum State of Sudan issued a warning to demolish the Christ Church in Alhaj-Yousife neighborhood of Khartoum North within one week under reasons of illegal building/structure.

Sudan considers revision of its criminal law, Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) to reduce aid in IDP camps.

HUDO Report on Human RIghts Violations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile January - June 2016

(21 July 2016) This report documents and highlights some incidents that took place in South Kordofan, Blue Nile states of Sudan adn the situation of internally displaced persons from the two states in Khartoum from January - June 2016.

During the month of June 2016, SUDO (UK)’s network of human rights monitors have reported and verified 53 incidents relating to the abuse of human rights across Sudan involving seven Sudanese states. Enclosed within the 53 reports, SUDO (UK) has assessed that various forces under the direct authority of the Government of Sudan were responsible for 26 instances of human rights abuses. A further 20 abuses were carried out by groups categorised by monitors as Janjaweed, whilst five such abuses were recorded against “pro-government militias”. Four human rights abuses were perpetrated by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N), and two abuses were registered against unknown actors.

Sudanese Rights Group (Huqooq)
Human Rights Monitoring 16th -29th June 2016 8th Report-Sudan

On the 27th of June 2016, Higher Education Minister, Sumayia Abu Kosha proposed to ban political activities in the Sudanese universities. In a speech before the Sudanese parliament in Khartoum, Abu Kosha accused the armed groups of smuggling white weapons to the universities campuses to destabilize the security situation. The minister further demanded "the enactment of laws that criminalize carrying weapons in universities and prohibiting political activity that claims lives.

Sudan Democracy First Group: Why did the Sudanese opposition forces refuse to sign the Roadmap Agreement proposed by the AUHIP?

(April 2016) During the period 18-21 March 2016, a strategic consultation meeting called for by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) took place in Addis Ababa. The meeting was held after a short visit of the head of the panel, President Thabo Mbeki, to Khartoum in which he met with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The AUHIP selectively invited some representatives of the Sudanese opposition to the ruling party.

Human Rights Update: March 2016
New offensive produces near record number of incidents

Since the current crisis broke out in 2011, human rights abuses in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states have continued. In March 2016, incidents of attacks of civilians increased dramatically. More than twice as many attacks were monitored as a new government of Sudan offensive took new territory and the number of attacks on civilians increased to the second highest since we started monitoring. During the month, the Sudanese government captured Alazrag village (in Alazrag Payam) and Mardis village (in Delami County) from the SPLA-N. They also captured Agab village (in Heiban County) and Karkarai village (in Umdorien County), but these were retaken by the SPLA-N. The level of tension and insecurity continues to increase and people are being forced to flee their homes and take shelter in caves and other places. This report documents those human right abuses committed against the civilian population of SK during the month of March 2016.

IRRI urges "Now is not the time to walk away: UNSC needs to renew and strengthen UNAMID"

(23 June 2016) With the UNAMID mandate renewal under discussion at the UN Security Council, a new report released today by the International Refugee Rights Initiative provides an analysis of the joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as seen by some of the civilians the force is mandated to protect.

(20 June 2016) On World Refugee Day, we, the undersigned individuals and civil society organisations, wish to draw attention to a number of the human rights violations serving as push factors for Sudan’s refugees and internally displaced. In light of the recent EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative (also known as the Khartoum Process) which has increased the EU’s cooperation with Sudan, we are deeply concerned that Sudan is being treated as a partner in addressing migration despite the fact the country is producing refugees itself and failing to respect international refugee law. It is critical that the EU does not, directly or indirectly, contribute to the violations or create more refugees.

(19 June 2016) On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict the undersigned 24 individuals and civil society organisations call on the Sudanese government to end the widespread sexual violence committed by its security forces and to reverse the atmosphere of impunity that fosters it.

In Darfur, as the report of the UN Secretary General noted in April 2016, Sudanese government forces have continued to use sexual violence during attacks on villages and displaced persons over the last 12 years. This was reflected in President Bashir’s indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009, which includes charges of rape committed by Sudanese forces as a crime against humanity.

Open Letter to Member States of the International Conference on the Greats Lakes Region regarding the situation in Sudan

(14 June 2016) We, the undersigned civil society organisations, call on the 6th Ordinary Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Heads of State and Government to take urgent action to address the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, including by establishing a joint commission of inquiry to investigate the situation.

The theme of the current summit ongoing in Luanda, Angola, is “Accelerating the effective implementation of the Pact and its Protocols for a more democratic and stable Great Lakes Region.” Nowhere is there a more urgent need for robust action to ensure that the Pact and its Protocols are implemented and that the ICGLR’s promise of peace and development are realised, than in Sudan’s conflict affected regions of Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Letter on the 5th Year Anniversary of Conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, Sudan

(4 June 2016) We, as representatives of the population in the Nuba Mountains and wider international and African civil society organisations, as shown in the logos above and signatures below, urge your government to use its considerable influence within the international community, and in particular the United Nations (UN), to uphold international humanitarian and human rights laws and conventions in the besieged Sudanese regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Since 2011 civilians there have endured regular aerial bombardment by the Sudanese armed forces – only the latest and most shocking examples of which include the well-publicised murder of six children in early May, and the very recent targeting of a primary school, both in Heiban County, South Kordofan.

(Kampala, 2 June 2016) The Sudan Consortium proudly announces the launch of its latest publication “Gender Under Bombardment- Gender Disparities in SPLM/A-North Controlled Areas of Nuba Mountains, Southern Kordofan”.

The research is a result of fieldwork undertaken in May 2015 in Southern Kordofan, aiming at shedding light onto existing gender disparities and the impact the ongoing conflict has on them. Cultural patterns and continuous conflict have exacerbated gender disparities, which warrant serious consideration by humanitarian actors and stakeholders, regional power brokers, and civil society groups working in and/or outside of Nuba Mountains.

Sudanese Rights Group (Huqooq) - Human Rights Monitoring 6th Weekly Report-Sudan

On the 29th of May 2016, the Interior Minister lieutenant General Esmat Abd Al-Rahman revealed in a press statement after a meeting with the security and defense committee in the parliament that they are going to apply theft amputation sentence against whoever involved in car theft and smuggling in Darfur. He added that the ministry of Interior has made arrangements in connection with the collection of heavy weapons and vehicles with four-wheel drive from the citizens, and the decision will be implemented in the near future. The minister further pointed out that the ministry of interior has sought to find solutions in regard to the small arms carried by the nomads, who need the arms during their long routs, either appointing a force to insure their safety during their movements or license their weapons or give them official status that allow them to carry their arms.(Source: Aljareeda newspaper, issue: 1773, date: 30 May 2016)

(12 May 2016, Paris, Kampala) Omar Al Bashir has arrived in Kampala to attend today’s inauguration ceremony for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Our organisations urge the Government of Uganda to take all necessary measures to arrest Omar Al Bashir, Sudanese President and wanted International Criminal Court (ICC) fugitive, while he is present in the country. Bashir, who has eluded arrest since 2009, faces charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Sudanese Rights Group (Huqooq) - Human Rights Monitoring 5th Weekly Report-Sudan

The Massacre of the Children of Heiban: Make it the Last Crime of the Sudanese Government’s Aerial Bombardments

(13 May 2016) We the undersigned - individuals, public figures, civil and political organizations - are horrified by the sight of the torn bodies of the children of Heiban Locality in South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains. These children were killed on 1st May 2016 by an aerial bombardment conducted by the Government of Sudan.

Photos have been widely disseminated of the 6 massacred children (including three children from one family). They are: (Kuku Dawli - 4 years , Yousif Yakgoub - 4 years, Jehan Abdelrahman Ibrahim - 5 years, Hafiz Mahmoud – 10 years, Ibrahim Abdelrahman Ibrahim – 10 years, Nidal Abdelrahman Ibrahim - 12 years).

In January 2016, attacks against civilians in Southern Kordofan (SK) continued. Although there were less attacks than the same period last year, the monitors verified 13 incidents altogether, including three shellings (all in Dilling County), four extra-judicial killings, one abduction, one injury due to a gunshot and one random shooting, three lootings and two incidents of ground fighting. Five people were killed and three injured in these attacks. At least 122 rockets fell in SK in January 2016, but no bombardments were reported in SPLM-N controlled areas.

In February 2016, the Government of Sudan (GoS) specifically targeted Delami County in SK. Twenty eight incidents were reported by the monitors during the month, of which 85% took place in Delami County. The remaining attacks were in Umdorein. At least 74 bombs were dropped and 78 rockets landed resulting in the death of one person and injury to seven others, including three children.

(5 May 2016) On 5th May, at around 3:00 pm, an armed group of 18 agents of National Intelligence and security Service NISS invaded the office of the prominent human rights lawyer Nabil Adib Abd Allah, in Street 5 Alamart area in Khartoum, the forces have searched the office and arrested 11 students of Khartoum University who were dismissed from the university on 3rd May following the unrest and protests that erupted in Khartoum University since 11th April, the students were at Nabil Adib office to discuss the case of their dismissal and to represent them before the competent authorities, the NISS agents confiscated number of legal files and documents from Nabil office and beaten the students before taking them to unknown place. Among those arrested during the raid two lawyers Mohamed Draj Mohamed Khalil and two female’s staff working with Nabil Law Firm, who were released.

Sudanese Rights Group (Huqooq) Human Rights Monitoring Weekly Report - Sudan 26th April-3rd May 2016

On 3rd May 2016, Khartoum University administration suspended the study for all the faculties in the main campus indefinitely after demonstrations, as tension looms once again after the killing of two students in Kordofan and Omdorman Ahlia Universities last month, It is worth noting that Khartoum University has been witnessing demonstrations since 11th April after circulation reports of selling and moving university building to Soba area south Khartoum.(Source: Khartoum University Student).

(3 May 2016) We, the undersigned thirty nine organizations and individuals, are writing to inform you of the use of excessive force by Sudanese authorities to disperse peaceful demonstrators across Sudan. At least nine people, including one child, have been killed in three separate incidents in 2016 alone. Most recently, two students were killed in separate incidents in April, in which government security forces and armed students used live ammunition to break up protests at two university campuses.

(26 April 2016) We, Sudanese and international human rights organisations concerned with issues of human rights in Sudan, would like to take the opportunity of your recent visit to Sudan to raise a series of issues regarding the current human rights situation in the country. Armed conflict continues to devastate many parts of the country and the government has placed severe restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms. We respectfully request that you consider this information in compiling your report and in formulating recommendations to the Sudanese government, with a view to ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

(20 April 2016) Since the beginning of the current conflict in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) civilians have been injured, killed, detained, abducted and displaced on a massive scale. The number of attacks rose sharply between 2013 and 2014 and continued apace in 2015. There has been a 78% increase in bombing incidents in 2015 compared to 2012.

UN Member States should make strong recommendations to Sudan at upcoming human rights review

(19 April 2016) UN Member states shoudl make strong and specific recommendations during an upcoming UN review of Sudan's human rights record, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the International Refugee RIghts Initiative (IRRI) today.

Twenty-two South Sudanese former JEM – Dabajo rebels sentenced to death by Khartoum Terrorism Court after unfair trial

(15 April 2016) On 6 April 2016 the Special Terrorism Court in Khartoum (Court 1), headed by Judge Abdien Hamad Ali, sentenced twenty-two South Sudanese nationals who were formerly members of the Darfuri rebel Justice and Equality Movement – Bakhiet Abdulkariem Dabajo wing (JEM – Dabajo) to death after convicting them of a number of offences, including crimes against the state that carry the death penalty. The group was convicted after they admitted to engaging in armed combat with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on various dates between 2004 and 2013. Three other South Sudanese nationals were sentenced to life imprisonment after they admitted to serving as cooks and mechanics for the JEM – Dabajo wing.

HUDO 2015 Annual Report on violations in government controlled areas of SK and BN

Human Rights and Development Organization (HUDO Centre) is a Sudanese non-governmental organization based in Kampala and Juba, South Sudan. Their report highlights incidents of human rights violations and abuses that took place in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile (the two areas) during the year of 2015. The report documents more than fifty cases of arbitrary arrest and the looting of more than twenty villages looted and burned leading to mass displacement. A number of rape cases have also been documented along with child rights violations. The main purpose of this report is to bring to light the human rights violations and abuses taking place in the two areas to stakeholders like the UN and (international community) to push the government of Sudan to respect international human rights and humanitarian laws.

While the government dry season offensive has not begun in the Two Areas, despite a significant repositioning of troops and isolated fighting, incidents of aerial bombardment and shelling intensified. The major areas affected are Dallami county in South Kordofan and Kurmuk county in Blue Nile. As a result, 3 people died and 7 were injured. The intensity of violence however is significantly less than that last year in the same period.

(31 March 2016) The efforts of the Government of Sudan to obstruct the engagement of civil society activists in a United Nations (UN)-led human rights review of the country is unacceptable and shows blatant contempt not just for human rights defenders in Sudan, but to human rights standards and the UN Human Rights Council, 36 Sudanese and international groups and seven prominent Sudanese individuals said today.

Sudanese National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) prevent lawyer Salih Mahmoud Osman from Traveling

(29 March 2016) Salih Mahmoud Osman, a prominent Sudanese human rights lawyer , and the winner of Sahkarov and American Bar Association prizes was prevented from travelling. Mr. Osman was on his way to Geneva, Switzerland yesterday 28 March 2016 to attend a session preparing for Sudan’s universal periodic report (UPR) as a Sudanese NGO representative. After processing and check in, security agents in plain clothes informed Mr. Osman that he was forbidden to travel outside Sudan and confiscated his passport. He was told to come next day to receive his passport back from the security information department. Today, 29 March 2016, Mr. Osman went there to receive his passport, but the security officers asked him to write a request to the chairperson of this department. He wrote his request and told that they will going to call him later via his mobile phone. At the time of writing, he had not yet receive his passport. We contacted Mr. Osman and he told us that the government of Sudan regularly violates the rights of lawyers working in the field of human rights. This was not the first time that he had been banned from travelling, he continued, as he was prevented several times as other lawyers have been as well. The government has yet to comment on this incident, despite many efforts to reach the authorities. The NISS head is a red line, no one dares to contact him. NISS enjoys absolute immunities under the law. The NISS regularly prevents human rights activists from travelling. Last week, more than six individuals were banned at Khartoum International Airport and had their passports confiscated. We urge the government to respect her commitment to freedom of movement and expression. We also urge all international and regional NGOs to condemn the Khartoum government for violating the freedom of expression, movement and association of human rights defenders.

SUDAN: TRACKs Office Once Against Raided and Staff Targeted by National Intelligence

(23 March 2016) Sudanese authorities should stop harassing civil society activists and allow them to work without arbitrary interference and intimidation, DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) said today.

On 29 February 2016, National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) once again raided the office of TRACKs for Training and Human Development, a Sudanese organisation that provides training on a variety of topics from information technology to human rights. This is the second time the organisation has been raided since March 2015, when it was targeted during a workshop it organised on social responsibility. The raid came just five days after it was announced that the NISS prosecution intended to drop the case brought against prominent Sudanese human rights leader Adil Bakheit and the Director of TRACKs Khalafalla Alafif Mukhtar following the March 2015 raid.

During the month of January 2016, SUDO (UK)’s network of human rights monitors have reported and verified 67 incidents of human rights abuses across Sudan involving 11 Sudanese states.

Out of the 67 incident reports submitted, SUDO (UK) has assessed that various forces under the authority of the Government of Sudan, as individual entities, were involved collectively in 61 instances of human rights abuses, whilst various militias known collectively as Janjaweed were responsible for 23 human rights abuses. Other perpetrators include unknown actors who were involved in two abuses, and a Gemer ethnic militia involved in one such incident. It is important to stress that multiple actors colluded in various incidents meaning that often two perpetrators would be identified in any one incident report. Most notably such collusion existed between various Government actors and indeed amongst Government actors and militias.

“Sudan Dams” case declared admissible by the African Commission: mass forced evictions, displacement, and forcible suppression of anti-dam demonstrations before the regional body

(16 March 2016) The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has decided to examine a case against the Republic of Sudan involving forced eviction, inadequate compensation and suppression of protesters during the building of two dams in Northern Sudan. The complainants now have two months to send their briefs on the merits of the case.

The resumption of ground hostilities followed by a new wave of aerial bombardment, shelling and attacks against civilians, led to a quick deterioration of the security situation in the Two Areas in January 2016. At least 11 poeple, including a child, were reportedly killed by government militias in South Kordofan.

In Blue Nile, humanitarian monitors reported 18 incidents of bombing. As a result, 3,060 people were displaced in Kurmuk county, 4 people were injured, including 1 child, and 27 farms destroyed. In South Kordofan, government troops build up in Heiban, Talodi and El Abassiya led to a general deterioration of security levels for the population with an increasing number of attacks against civilians by government militias.

(22 February 2016) Two pastors Hassan Abduelraheem Kodi andTelal Ngosi were arrested by National Intelligence and security services (NISS) on 18th December 2015. Their whereabouts is still unknown. Their families and church authority were prevented from visiting them. Both are at risk of torture.

Pastor Hassan Abdelraheem Kodi, 49, the secretary general of Sudanese church of Christ and Pastor Telal Ngosi, 44, were arrested on 18th Dec 2015 by NISS officers. They were interrogated for attending Christian conference in Addis Ababa.

West Darfur: One student dead after heavy beatings and serious concern for safety of another student detained incommunicado at security offices

(8 February 2016) The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) is deeply concerned about new reports of arbitrary detention, custodial violence and excessive use of force by the Sudanese authorities in El Geneina, West Darfur state, in late January following a political forum held at El Geneina University. The violence follows armed attacks on Mouli village just south of El Geneina on 9 and 10 January by suspected members of the Government’s Rapid Support Forces.

In SUDO (UK)’s November update monitors warned on the 4th November that the Government of Sudan was preparing for what appeared to be a major offensive in the East Jebel Marra region. This build up of ground troops and military hardware – including technical vehicles, heavy artillery and tanks – was complimented by an increase in militia activity throughout the month of December around the East Jebel Marra region – as will be reported in a soon to be released SUDO (UK) report on human rights abuses throughout Sudan in December 2015.

Walking the talk or fleeing the scene: The pressing need for an effective role of UNAMID in Darfur

(27 January 2016) Since November 2014, there is increased demand from the Sudanese government for the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to leave Sudanese soil. This demand came to light following the involvement of UNAMID in exposing the mass rape crime in Tabit. While the Sudanese government justifys its demand with claims of peace and stability in Darfur, the reality on the ground shows a steady increase in violence. For UNAMID to leave would exacerbate the severe protection and humanitarian crises in the region. Instead, discussions must focus on increasing the effectiveness of UNAMID.

Administrative Referendum: A Wakeup Call for the Ethno-Political Conflict in Darfur

(26 January 2016) The protracted conflict in Sudan is an evergreen subject; much of the literature focuses on the history, causes of the conflict and the current atrocities in Darfur. However, there is a lack of knowledge surrounding the issues of division and fragmentation. The Government of Sudan (GoS) implements ‘divide and rule’, ‘divide and destroy’ with ‘divide and confuse’ monolithically as a policy, enabling them to maintain power throughout Sudan. The 2011 referendum of South Sudan led to the division of Sudan into two independent countries--Sudan and South Sudan. While peace remains out of reach, the suffering of innocent civilians continues to be widespread. A key question is whether Darfur should reunite as one province or remain five separate states? The Administrative Referendum in Darfur would be a cause for deadly Ethno-political conflict in Darfur.

(23 January 2016) Civilian populations in Jebel Marra, a district in Darfur, Sudan, is currently experiencing massive human rights abuses, war crimes, crimes against humanity and all other forms of brutal atrocities. These atrocities are being practiced by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the GoS supported Janjaweed militia--now operating in the region as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Civil conflict in Darfur began in 2003, and became widely publicized--especially with the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, widespread sexual assaults, burning of villages and the displacement of millions of people from their homes to internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee camps. Additionally, those who found themselves in these camps were faced with very limited humanitarian services and poor security. Unfortunately, the conflict is still nowhere near an end and the suffering continues.

The end of the rainy season has brought with it an increase of aerial attacks and shelling on an already exhausted population, killing one person. Two aerial attacks were reported in Khor Tombak, South Sudan, close to the border with Blue Nile, killing a 14 year-old girl and injuring 5 people. Clashes between government forces and the SPLM/A-N are expected to intensify in the coming months. Incidents of cattle raiding in South Kordofan have resumed. As a result, three people were killed allegedly by government militias, while at least 304 heads of cattle were looted.

Despite efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in Sudan, armed conflict, corruption and human rights violations continued as the year 2016 came to be. This, whilst the will of political actors including the armed movements continues to falter in reaching agreement on a road map that would deliver peace, good governance, and sustainable development.

Sudan must protect civilians in West Darfur and reign in security forces after village burned and protestors lethally shot

(14 January 2016) Sudanese authorities should immediately put in place measures to ensure the protection of civilians in and around El Geneina, the capital city of West Darfur state, and reign in state security forces following the lethal shooting of at least ten civilians by police and security personnel and the burning and looting of the nearby village of Mouli, approximately 15 kilometers south of El Geneina over the past week. Mouli was attacked and burned to the ground by suspected members of the Government’s Rapid Support Forces on 9 and 10 January. Four residents of Mouli were abducted during the attacks and their whereabouts remain unknown. On 10 January, Central Reserve Police and National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse an angry crowd that had gathered in front of the West Darfur Governor’s offices in El Geneina and set fire to property. It is thought that most people in the crowd had been displaced from Mouli earlier that morning and headed to the State governor’s office to demand protection. At least seven people were killed, including one 16-year old boy, and ten were injured when authorities fired on the crowd.

(21 December 2015) On 21st and 28th Oct. 2015 the combined troops of National intelligence and security service (NISS), Police, land registration authority and locality’s officer destroyed two churches in Althawra (square 29 and square 61) which are located in Karari locality of Omdurman town at Khartoum state, without any legal ground.

Hundreds of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers face forcible deportation from Jordan

(18th of December 2015) During the last two days, Jordanian authorities decided to deport over 800 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers back to Sudan. Jordanian officials revealed that the deportation is conducted in coordination and arrangement with Sudanese authorities. The first batch of the deported persons arrived to Khartoum airport this morning, Friday December 18, 2015.The group was received by excessive presence of Sudanese security apparatus.

SDFG expresses its extreme worry for the safety and well-being of those refugees and asylum seekers, especially with the known bad reputation of the Sudanese security. Detention, prolonged investigation and torture by Sudanese security have characterized the previous cases of deportation to Sudan. SDFG also condemns the cruel and inhumane treatment of Jordanian authorities against those refugees and asylum seekers during the forcible deportation of the first batch.

Unhindered Assistance from Multiple Locations for the Two Areas and throughout Sudan

In light of the impasse at the 10th round of peace talks in Addis Ababa between the government of Sudan and the SPLM-N, we believe it is critical to recognize that it is a violation of international law to block humanitarian aid to innocent civilians living in conflict zones. Therefore, no party to the conflict should prevent the international community from providing humanitarian aid to the people affected by conflict in the Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan and the Blue Nile states, commonly referred to as the Two Areas, of Sudan, or any other area within Sudan. According to multiple UN General Assembly Resolutions, UNOCHA, and the ICRC, humanitarian actions are founded on four guiding principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. These principles provide the foundation to establishing and maintaining access to affected people in a complex emergency such as armed conflict. If humanitarian assistance relief actions do not follow these principles then the entire operation puts the victims of conflict at risk and humanitarian assistance can become a weapon in furtherance of armed conflict.

Assessment of EU statements on Sudan and their reference to the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, protection of civilians and the use of aerial bombardments 2012-2015

The goal of this research was to see if the EU has taken any position over the past years on the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, condemning the aerial bombardments by the Government of Sudan (GoS) on civilians and calling for the protection of civilians.

Different type of statements have been researched, such as council conclusions, declaration by the High Representative (HR) on behalf of the EU, statements from the EU HR, statements by the spokesperson of the HR and press releases/statements by the EU delegation in Khartoum.

Human Rights Update: September-October 2015
Despite a ceasefire bombings of civilians continue

In the last two months, attacks against civilians in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) have continued though at a reduced scale compared to this year’s high of 65 attacks in May. There was, however, a five-fold increase in the number of attacks in September 2015 as compared with September 2014. The slight decrease is likely to be as a result of the annual decrease due to the rainy season. A two month ceasefire was declared in September to enable peace talks. Whilst the ceasefire has clearly not been respected by the government of Sudan (GoS), it may have contributed to reducing the number of bombings.

Although the GoS’s agreement to resume talks, the first in a year, with SPLM-N in November was a positive development, they were suspended again very shortly afterwards following a deadlock on discussions around humanitarian aid.

Ground fighting in the Blue Nile Ingessana Mountains, and aerial bombardment and shelling in South Kordofan, continued during the reporting period, even if on a smaller scale. Aerial attacks were directed mainly towards civilian locations and cultivated farms. There are increasing reports of SAF attempts to burn crops at the far farms in Dalami county.

With evidence on the ground indicating that both parties are preparing for a new season of fighting, the humanitarian conditions of the people in the Two Areas are expected to deteriorate even further in the coming months. A recent compilation of Nuba reports has documented nearly 4,000 aerial attacks on civilians just the last three years in South Kordofan.

(November 2015) Early in 2015, Waging Peace acquired 77 testimonies documenting first-hand accounts of rape and mass rape in Darfur. We prepared this ‘snapshot’ report not for use as a comprehensive guide to the issue of rape in Darfur, but to highlight the fact that sexual and gender-based violence committed by armed groups is a persistent and devastating part of the conflict in the region, as well as to pay tribute to the bravery of the women for sharing their stories.

(October 2015) Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) refers to “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”. According to UNICEF, FGM/C “is a fundamental violation of human rights. Approximately 125 million girls and women have been forcibly subjected to FGM/C in the 29 African and Middle Eastern countries where it is most prevalent. Sudan is in the highest category of prevalence for countries with FGM/C, and 37% of the girls affected are under the age of 14. Reasons cited for undertaking FGM/C are control over a woman’s sexuality, hygiene, gender-based factors, cultural identity and religion.

Pockets of population in the Two Areas are facing severe levels of food insecurity, mainly due to late and poor rainfall, which compounds difficulties to produce and access food in the war torn areas. Specifically, in the payams of Chali and Wadaka in Kurmuk county, Blue Nile, the early crops have failed leaving a hunger gap of at least four months for around 30,000 people. Areas in As-Sunut and Dilling in Western Jebel region and in Toobo A, Dallami and Western Kadugli in central parts of of South Kordofan are also experiencing critical food security levels. Cases of death due to malnutrition from the Koma Ganza (Blue Nile) and Kao-Nyaro-Warni (South Kordofan) areas have been already reported by this Unit. An estimated 90,000 people are now considered at risk of a localised famine, and more deaths are expected if immediate assistance is not provided to these populations. In Blue Nile, the number of people facing severe levels of food insecurity is more than half of the entire population living under SPLM/A-N control.

(16 October 2015) Produced by the Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society organizations (CSCSOs), Sudan Civil Society Watch is a quarterly bulletin concerned with monitoring and reporting on the space and flux for civil society in Sudan. The bulletin acts as an evidence base and is used to engage with policy and decision-makers to improve and expand the space for Sudanese civil society.

Data and information is collected via information and communication technologies through a network of trusted correspondents from civil society activists and organizations throughout the country. Information is also processed and analysed through focus group discussions and secondary sources.

Since more than a year and following the President’s announcement of his initiative in January 2014 and desire to initiate a national dialogue, civil society organizations have remained, watchful of the political and security situation, and the developments that have accompanied attempts to establish a national dialogue in Sudan. One that would be democratic, transparent, and that would involve all sectors of the Sudanese people, without discrimination, and without exclusion. However, the developments during this period have reflected clearly a decline in confidence between the government and political parties, and its continued approach of exclusion. Furthermore, the government has insisted on preparing and managing for national dialogue with no recognition or attention to the sincere voices of other actors and their insistence on the need to first demonstrate seriousness and bridge the gap of trust and credibility by meeting the prerequisites of a national dialogue.

Human Rights Update: July-August 2015
Bombings continue despite onset of the rainy season

(15 October 2015) In the two last months, the situation continued to deteriorate in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN). In July and August 2015, attacks against civilians in the two areas continued although on a reduced scale from the previous months as a result of the rainy season, which is generally associated with a reduction in the number of attacks. There was, however, a substantial increase in the number of attacks as compared with the previous rainy season. The total number of attacks recorded over the two month period, 34, was more than double the number reported in the same period in 2014.

In July, the dropping of 11 cluster bombs was reported in Umdorein and Tobo (Al Buram) counties. As mentioned in our June 2015 report, due to their inherently indiscriminate nature cluster munition is banned by the Convention on Cluster Munition (CCM) endorsed in 2008. Sudan is not a party to the convention, but there is increasing international consensus that use of these weapons is unacceptable. In total, attacks by the government of Sudan (GoS) on civilians over the last two months injured two women, killed 11 animals and injured eight, damaged two huts, one house and seven shelters and destroyed three farms and four shelters.

SKBNCU Flash update #10 - Food security crisis in Blue Nile: 30,000 people at risk of a localised famine

(8 October 2015) Lack of rains, after sporadic falls in May 2015, have provoked the substantial disruption of maize and short-term sorghum cultivation in the payam of Wadaka and Chali (Kurmuk county) in Blue Nile. As a result, around 30,000 people living in those areas are at risk of a localised famine. Deaths due to malnutrition and sickness from eating inappropriate wild foods have already been reported from the Koma Ganza area, where around 15,000 people live in critical humanitarian conditions. With a population of approximately 67,000, the affected communities represent more than half of the population living in the county.

According to the communities, this is the driest season of the last five years. Third party analysis of satellite data indicates that: ‘In Kurmuk county, vegetative conditions and moisture levels are considerably below normal throughout much of the county in September, at a time of year when conditions are normally at their peak. Planting of the main staple crop, sorghum, typically runs through July and early August. For many farmers, persistently poor conditions in Kurmuk suggest little chance to establish a crop from this point forward.2 For the time being, rains in nearby Yabus payam have allowed people to cultivate.

(5 October 2015) On Thursday 25th of June 2015 around 9:00 p.m. after coming from church in El-Ezba neighborhood (also known as Tayba Al-Hamadab) in Khartoum North, 12 Sudanese women hailing from the Nuba Mountains of the embattled Southern Kordofan State were arrested by the Public Order Police while waiting for public transportation. The women were taken to the Public Order Police station in Al-Sababi neighborhood and informed by police, that they were being arrested under Article 152 of the 1991 Public Order Act, which states that:

In March the Independent Commission for Aid Impact released a report on how UK aid has been spent training overseas police forces. The report (available at: http://icai.independent.gov.uk/reports/uk-development-assistance-for-security-and-justice/) received little attention in the run-up to the general election. Yet, it concludes that UK officials may be making bad human rights situations worse by honing the skills of repressive security forces.

In the case of Sudan, more than £850,000 was spent on a programme that had to be “terminated ahead of schedule, following violent suppression of protests in Khartoum and other cities in September 2013”, in which more than 100 unarmed democracy protesters were killed.

FIDH, ACJPS and SHRM joint oral statement to UN Human Rights Council 30th Session

(30th September 2015) At the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council and during the Interactive Dialogue with the independent UN expert on the Sudan; FIDH and its member organisations, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) and the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM), submitted a joint statement expressing serious concerns for the situation of human rights in the country.

On the anniversary of protests massacres, the international community must take a strong stand on impunity for widespread human rights abuses in Sudan

International Federation for Human Rights – FIDH
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies – ACJPS
Sudan Human Rights Monitor – SHRM

Paris, Kampala, Khartoum, 23 September 2015 – The Government of Sudan continues to fail to ensure that those responsible for international crimes and other serious human rights abuses are held to account, in particular when such abuses engage the responsibility of forces and groups under its command. On the second anniversary of the killing by Sudanese security forces of at least 185 peaceful demonstrators, Sudan has taken no clear steps to ensure accountability or grant effective remedies to victims and their families. Meanwhile, serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law continue to be committed in conflict zones and across the country with complete impunity. FIDH, ACJPS and SHRM reiterate their call upon the international community to condemn serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Sudan, call for reform of Sudanese laws that allow impunity for perpetrators of serious crimes, and ensure effective accountability mechanisms are established to grant justice and reparation for victims.

(22 September 2015) On 21 September 2015 the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) made a stakeholder submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Sudan 2016. The submission details human rights developments in Sudan, including legal and institutional, documented by our organisations since the last Universal Periodic Review of Sudan by member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011.

We, together with the Arab Coalition for Sudan, write to bring to your attention the case of Mr Babacar Moussa Issa, a member of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party who was arrested by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 27 August 2015 and is disappeared since. His family learned from other detainees that he was subjected to torture while in secret detention but they have not been able to visit him so far. They fear that he could be ill-treated again while being detained by the NISS.

We solicit your urgent intervention with the Sudanese authorities to ask them to immediately release Mr Issa or at the very least to put him under the protection of the law and authorise his family and his lawyer to visit him. If Mr Issa confirms the reports of torture, the authorities should open thorough and impartial investigations into them and bring the perpetrators to justice while offering him a fair compensation. The Sudanese authorities should be reminded of their international obligations and put an end to the practice of enforced disappearances as well as the arbitrary detention and torture of political activists.

While ground fighting has declined during the rainy season, indiscriminate aerial bombardment by jet fighters and Antonovs and shelling continues to disrupt the lives of civilians in the two Areas. At least 22 bombs and 74 shells fell on civilian locations, farms and grazing land in August 2015. Attacks were carried out by Sudan government forces simultaneously with a proffered unilateral cease fire by the same government. Luckily the attacks did not cause any human casualty. One shell fell outside a primary school, and a tragedy was luckily averted. In addition to terrorising local people, insecurity also continues to reduce the peoples’ ability to cultivate and rear livestock, as confirmed by the July Food Security and Monitoring Unit (FSMU) report. Small Arms Survey confirmed that the Sudan government is targeting civilians with aerial bombing, including attacks on cultivated farms, food stocks and clinics. That indiscriminate use of bombs has contributed to the worsening humanitarian situation for civilians living in rebel-held areas.

SKBNCU Flash update - Abuses against civilians continue in Government held areas in Blue Nile

(15 September 2015) Sudanese citizens living in the Government held areas in Blue Nile are victims of continue abuses by government forces and militias. The people who safely reached the refugee camps in South Sudan and SPLM/A-N held areas in Blue Nile, have reported appalling human rights abuses and dire humanitarian conditions within the Government held areas in Baw, northern Kurmuk and southern Geissan counties. People have limited freedom to cultivate, schools are closed and clinics are not available. Burning of villages intensified in 2015, forcing people to flee their areas for safety. According to those interviewed, villages were burned to force people out of their home areas and to reduce support for the SPLM/A-N. People lost all their belongings and livestock, while an unverified number of women were raped.

NGO Letter regarding human rights situation at 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council

To Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council

We write to share our serious concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan, marked by harsh political repression and continued impunity. There is increasing evidence that Sudanese security forces are committing war crimes in the conflict areas of Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. We call on your delegation to support the development and adoption of a strong and responsive resolution on Sudan under agenda Item 4 at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council in September.

Over the past four years in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, the Sudanese government has engaged in indiscriminate and targeted aerial bombardment of civilian areas, killing and wounding hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians. Government forces have destroyed civilian property including villages, health facilities, schools, mosques and churches, and the authorities continue to obstruct humanitarian assistance. Government forces and allied militia have also been implicated in alarming levels of sexual violence. Ongoing attacks and fighting have caused massive displacement over the past year.

Four cluster bombs were launched by two Jet fighters on 10 July into the village of Tabanya (Thobo county), in South Kordofan, without provoking any casualty. Some of the bombs did not explode, leaving unexploded bomblets on the ground that are threatening the lives of the civilians. Cluster bombs are prohibited by an International Convention that the Government of Sudan has not joined. Cluster bombs were also used in South Kordofan in May 2015. There is no evidence to date of their use in Blue Nile state.

The 6th of June marked the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in the Two Areas, that has led to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and over a million war-affected people. The civilian population continues to be affected by targeted and indiscriminate aerial bombardment and heavy shelling, albeit slightly reduced during this reporting period. In June 2015, shelling and aerial bombardment in the Two Areas caused the death of four people and seven were injured, while at least 200 additional households were displaced.

Ali Agab Nour, a Sudanese lawyer and refugee, will challenge the British Government’s decision to provide military training to the Sudanese Army in the High Court.

It is well-documented that the Sudanese Army regularly and systematically perpetrate truly appalling human rights violations including mass rape, ethnic cleansing and indiscriminate aerial bombardment. The senior commanders of the army are indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and genocide. The UK is alone amongst western nations in training the army.

After four years of conflict in Southern Kordofan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN), civilians continue to be heavily affected by aerial bombardment and ground fighting carried out by the Sudanese government. Since the beginning of the war, civilians have been displaced on a massive scale, injured, killed, detained or abducted in SK and BN. Moreover, the government of Sudan continues to deny independent humanitarian access increasing the suffering and the vulnerability of civilians leaving in the Two Areas.

In June 2015, with the beginning of the rainy season, the number of attacks carried out by the Sudanese government in SK decreased significantly, with fewer than half as many incidents reported in June 2015 as compared to May 2015, and nearly a quarter of the number reported in June 2014. However, even despite the significant decrease in bombings, sadly June 2015 saw the same number of casualties as June 2014.

Human Rights Update - May 2015:Over 7,000 civilians displaced and 347 homes destroyed in 65 attacks

The government of Sudan’s (GoS) military offensive against opposition forces of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in Southern Kordofan intensified significantly during May 2015, as the government attempted to gain ground ahead the coming rainy season. This follows the same pattern seen in previous years, our monitors recorded 65 attacks in SPLM-N controlled areas in May. This represented a 14% increase over last month, and a 25% increase over May 2014. Of particular concern in this month has been a significant increase in ground attacks, which often cause significant displacement. In total from January to May 2015, 200 verified incidents were registered, killing 39 civilians and injuring 148 persons.

Sudan Public Opinion Poll Results of the Election opinion Poll, in Khartoum, River Nile, Kassala, Northern Kordofan, Aljazeera and White Nile States

(June 2015) This report includes the main results of the public opinion poll on the current election, 2015, in six out of Sudan’s 18 states. The opinion poll reflects the general public’s satisfaction with what the government of Sudan calls “the citizens’ constitutional rights” to choose their president and parliamentary representatives. The six states where this survey was carried out are Khartoum, River Nile, Kassala, Northern Kordofan, Aljazeera and White Nile states. The results were gathered in the field through direct structured interviews and covered all localities of the surveyed states. The sample size for the survey was determined by the accuracy, and degree of precision required for the survey estimates for each state and available resources. The interviews were carried out by 75 qualified young researchers managed by nine supervisors.

Al Bashir's escape: South African government should be held accountable for flouting court orders

(17 June 2015) The willful non-compliance by the South African government of a high court order preventing the departure of Sudan President Omar Al Bahir is cause for grave concern for the rule of law in the country. FIDH, ACJPS and LHR were alarmed that despite the court order preventing his exit, Al Bashir – who was attending the African Union summit in South Africa – was able to leave without being arrested and transfered to the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he faces charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Sudan forcibly displaces and sets villages on fire in Blue Nile; civilians presumed to be affiliated with rebels detained incommunicado

(17 June 2015) Since April 2015, three villages in Blue Nile, primarily comprised of members of the Ingessana ethnic group, have been burned to the ground by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in an apparent attempt to forcibly displace communities perceived to support the rebel Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-N). The armed forces have also ordered residents of four villages to relocate from their homes, threatening that those who stay behind will be presumed to be members of the SPLM-N. The attacks have displaced thousands of civilians and destroyed agriculture. On 8 April 2015, the village of Mediam Al Jabal was burnt to the ground, displacing approximately 3,700 civilians. Two further attacks, on Khor Mungra on 10 May and Bau locality on 11 May, displaced approximately 6,018 residents. On 13 May the SAF ordered residents of four nearby villages – Khor Mganza, Daim Masaleet, Alshaheed Afandi and Raieh Balak – to relocate, threatening that anyone remaining behind would be a presumed member of the SPLM – N. Humanitarian access to the area has been severely limited by Sudanese authorities, with only the Sudanese Red Crescent allowed to access displaced communities.

Two South Sudanese Pastors face death penalty for voicing opposition to corruption scandal at Khartoum Bahri Church

(2 June 2015) Two South Sudanese pastors are currently on trial in Khartoum for criminal charges which carry the death penalty under Sudan’s 1991 Penal Code after making public remarks criticizing a corruption scandal at a Khartoum Church and the treatment of Christians in Sudan. The two men Yad Michael, (m), 49 years of age, and Peter Yen, (m), 26 years of age, were detained by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 14 December 2014 and 11 January 2015 respectively, and held incommunicado until their first family visits on 2 March 2015. They were transferred to Kober prison on 1 March after being charged by the Office of the Prosecutor for Crimes against the State. Their first court session was on 19 May, and the second on 31 May. The next court session is scheduled for 15 June 2015.

(1 June 2015) 32 Eritrean asylum seekers are at risk of forced return to Eritrea after a Sudanese court ruled that the group be deported from Sudan after serving two months in prison. The group was found guilty of illegal entry by a court in Sudan’s Red Sea State that borders Eritrea. The members of the group, which includes 14 women and one six-year old child, were denied the opportunity to make a claim for international protection although a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) attended the court session. They are currently serving two month prison sentences, pending deportation, after they failed to pay a fine for illegal entry.

Sudan: Release and guarantee safety of human rights defender detained by armed forces in Nuba Mountains

(18 May 2015) Sudanese authorities should immediately release and guarantee the safety of human rights defender Mohamed Musa Mohamed Dawud who was reportedly detained by members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in late April and transferred under armed guard to Kadugli hospital in South Kordofan with gunshot wounds.

Mohamad Dawud is a known human rights defender who is thought to have been injured and detained during a ground attack by the SAF on the civilian village of Belanga in West Kadugli County, South Kordofan. Conflicting reports suggest he was detained sometime between 23 and 30 April and taken to Kadugli hospital under armed guard, having sustained gunshot wounds. His current whereabouts have not been confirmed.

Human Rights Update: April 2015
Deadly attacks in Southern Kordofan as Sudan votes

As Sudanese in Khartoum and other parts of the country went to the polls on 13-16 April civilians in Southern Kodorfan were not only excluded from the vote, they faced continuing government attacks. Over the three days of the elections, civilians faced 12 separate aerial bombardments and shelling attacks. The grim situation in Southern Kordofan is a grim reminder of the lack of credibility of the elections.

Dirty bombs in East Jabal Marra and the RSF continued killing and looting the Civilians in Darfur - 14th and 15th April 2015

A group of the Rapid Support Forces came to Dofat market and bought some meat from two (2) butchers named (Mohamed Suleiman Musa and Mohamed Abdo-alkareem). When the butchers asked for their money, the RSF opened fire killing the two butchers and walked away.

(21 April 2015) A new report launched today by the International Refugee Rights Initiative and the National Human Rights Monitoring Organisation brings the voices of civilians living through the conflict in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan State to the international community.

Focusing on the devastating impact of the conflict on every aspect of people’s lives, the report highlights the extraordinary resilience and resistance of the civilian population. Inevitably, however, this resilience is also being worn away by the continuing onslaught.

(21 April 2015) The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Sudan.

Description of the situation: The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the arbitrary arrest and judicial harassment of Mr. Adil Bakheit, member of the Board of Trustees of the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). Mr. Bakheit, a human rights trainer, also played an important monitoring role during the 2010 elections and 2011 referendum in Sudan.

Sudanese human rights defender detained on baseless charges and others at risk after armed raid on Khartoum training centre

(18 April 2015) Sudanese human rights defender Adil Bakheit is at risk of a politically motivated trial on baseless charges, including under the category of ‘crimes against the state’ that carry the death penalty, after his laptop was confiscated during an armed raid on the Khartoum-based TRACKS for Training and Human Development. Officers from Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), armed with guns, raided the training centre on 26 March whilst it was hosting a training session on social responsibility. Participants were accused of discussing the boycott of the upcoming General Elections. Property, including four laptop computers and the central computer server, was seized. Two members of staff and a filmmaker present during the workshop have been summoned by the NISS and interrogated on a number of occasions since the raid. Adil Bakheit, a well-known independent human rights trainer, was summoned and charged by the State Security Prosecution Office on 16 April, three weeks after the raid and seizure of his laptop.

(17 April 2015) Today marks the one-year anniversary since the untimely passing of Osman Hummaida, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), friend and mentor to countless human rights defenders around the world.

Osman worked tirelessly in support of human rights and social justice in Sudan and across Africa. He believed strongly in the principles of human rights and international justice, and was at the forefront of campaigns to build and support strong African regional human rights mechanisms. He was instrumental to the campaigning that led to the referral of the situation in Sudan’s Darfur region to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the eventual issuance of an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Hassan al Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sudan’s Electoral Period Marred by Arrests and Incommunicado Detention; insecurity in Darfur

(17 April 2015) Sudan’s national general elections began on 13 April 2015. Scheduled to end on 15 April, they were extended one day by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to account for low voter turnout.

In the days leading up to and during the elections and the voting period, ACJPS documented a number of violations, apparently aimed at restricting the ability of independent groups and activists to voice dissenting political views from those of the ruling party. Activists affiliated with Irhal (Go!), a campaign established by the opposition coalition, the National Consensus Forces (NCF), calling on supporters to boycott the elections, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment by security forces.

While the first three weeks of March were relatively calm, the last week witnessed an notable increase in aerial bombardment and shelling in South Kordofan causing significant displacement and damage to livestock, food and tree crops. A new wave of ground fighting has reportedly caused the displacement of over 20,000 civilians from the front-line areas. Consistent with previous trends, bombing in March appeared to be directed towards civilian targets, such as farms, food stocks and schools, including the New Sudan Primary School in Heiban Payam, but did not cause any human casualties. At the end of the month/beginning of April, the IDPs living in caves in the Tunguli area were targeted, causing the death of seven people. SPLA North military attacks employing a mobile force and aimed at undermining the April elections and depleting government resources, have reportedly provoked civilian casualties and displacement from Government held locations in South Kordofan.

Civil Society dismay at decision to deploy observation monitors to Sudan elections

(13 April 2015) We, the undersigned Sudanese and African civil society organizations, write with deep concern about the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council to send an observation mission to monitor the 13 – 15 April 2015 Sudanese general elections, in direct contradiction to the recommendations of the African Union’s
own pre-elections assessment mission.

Detentions, civil society closures, media restrictions on eve of Sudan elections

(12 April 2015) Sudan’s national general elections will begin on 13 April 2015. For the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), “there is no prospect of open, transparent free or fair elections in Sudan whilst independent civil society groups, human rights defenders, political activists and journalists are at such a high risk of arbitrary detention for voicing dissenting views and whilst conflict rages in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states”.

The electoral process has been rejected by nearly all mainstream political opposition parties on the basis that it is not genuine, inclusive or aimed at reaching a national consensus. Instead, in the run-up to elections, brutal repression against dissenting voices has considerably increased: political opponents, journalists, and human rights defenders are being targeted by the regime more than ever. In the conflict areas of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan, mass atrocities continue to be perpetrated against civilians. Additionally, the electoral process has been marred by a number of procedural irregularities and will take place amidst a fragile political environment.

(12 April, 2015) For the SPLM-N controlled locations in the Two Areas, the month of March in terms of civilian protection incidents has been somewhat subdued when compared to the previous three months. No deaths were reported in March 2015 and 20 civilians were reported to having been injured as a result of aerial bombardment or shelling.

However, the intensity of military attacks that affected civilian locations in SPLM-N controlled areas increased near the end of March and into the first week of April, resulting in 17 civilian deaths and 12 persons injured between April 4 and 7th. Shelling from the SAF garrison in Dilling town into Al Kuk village on April 6th killed 9 people from the same family, including a one day old baby, and children of ages 2, 5, 10, two of 13, 15 and 18 years as well as a 23 year old adult. Bombs dropped near a local grinding mill in Tunguli, Dalami County, on April 7th killed 7 people; two women, two students and two young children, and a elderly man was seriously injured and then died while being transported to a distant hospital. The grinding mill which provides a critical service for the local population was also destroyed.

The findings of a public opinion poll conducted in Khartoum State and released today by the Sudan Consortium showed a high level of discontent with the state of the economy, governance and services in Sudan.

Based on a survey of 782 households, the survey covers public opinion on the socio-economic situation in the country, security, the problems facing the country, emigration, local service, corruption and the National Dialogue process. When asked about the problems facing the country, respondents identified economic issues first with the most popular two answers being increasing prices and inflation and poverty. Respondents also identified corruption, poor services, and armed conflict and geographic, ethnic and political division in the country.

(9 April 2015) As elections in Sudan approach in April 2015, the conflict in Southern Kordofan is being drawn in to the political debate. President Bashir had promised that all wars would be ended by the end of 2014 and that the elections would be held in a peaceful environment. The continuation of the war, among other factors, is undermining international confidence in the elections. At the same time, rebels have threatened to stop the elections in Southern Kordofan and have claimed that their recent offensives have been undertaken in an effort to support election boycotts.

(27 March 2015) We, the undersigned Sudanese, African and Arab civil society organizations, wish to thank and commend the efforts of the African Union and its various organs under your leadership to bring about a lasting, comprehensive peace to Sudan. We reiterate our support for the proactive stance of the African Union in ensuring that the root causes of Sudan’s crises are addressed.

This report provides an analysis the different aspects of the Sudanese Voluntary and Humanitarian Work Act 2006 in comparison with Ethiopian, Egyptian and English Law. The method of research chosen was a comparative study of Laws. The English Law was chosen as a standard democratic law from a stable country in which to compare the Sudanese Voluntary and Humanitarian Work Act 2006 with reference to the Sudanese constitution, as well as, comparisons with two neighboring countries laws- Ethiopia and Egypt. Roundtable discussions were also conducted with members of Sudanese Civil Society Organizations, in order to understand their experiences on how this Act is implemented; their contributions were then incorporated into this report. The findings show that the Sudanese Voluntary and Humanitarian Work Act 2006 is used by the government to suppress Sudanese Civil Society. It is found to be unconstitutional because it deprives citizens of their right to associate and assemble. It is also found that implementation of the Act varies according to the whim of whoever is in control. It must be stated that this report has limitations due to difficulty of access to information regarding laws related to the HAC. This is because of the nature of secrecy surrounding all security related matters in Sudan.

For civilians in many parts of Sudan, 2015 has already brought rising hostilities, mass displacement, and a deepening food crisis. The conditions are such that hundreds of civilians are fleeing across the Sudanese border to refugee camps in Unity State, where South Sudan’s civil war is still raging. They have made the judgement that the risks of remaining in Sudan, where they would continue to be subjected to intense aerial bombardment and shelling of civilian areas, and unsustainable livelihoods, were greater than any risks they might encounter in the conflict zone across the border.

Civilians in the ‘Two Areas’ – Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile – have suffered from nearly four years of uninterrupted conflict that has internally displaced 1.7 million people, roughly half of the population. Meanwhile, the conflict in Darfur has thus far internally displaced 2.5 million, and has resulted in over 4.4 million civilians requiring humanitarian assistance, a level rarely exceeded in the history of the twelve year conflict. Both conflicts have seen civilians systematically targeted with regular reporting of killing, rape, destruction of property and community infrastructure, and loss of livelihoods.

(5 March 2015) The Sudanese government has announced that it is intent on holding legislative and presidential elections in April 2015. This, despite repeated calls for their postponement by opposition political forces and independent civil society until such time when peace is secured and the national dialogue, which the government itself had announced and that potentially could lead to national consensus around the Constitution and how the country should be governed, might take place. Moreover, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced it had completed preparations for the elections and set the schedule for all stages. It also announced that several regional and international actors have expressed an interest in monitoring the elections.

African Commission should call on Sudan to release prominent activists facing stiff penalties in national security trial

(20 February 2015) Africa’s main human rights body should call on Sudan to ensure the prompt release of two well-known activists who face an unfair trial on 23 February 2015 on charges that carry harsh penalties including life imprisonment, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), REDRESS, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) said today.

The four human rights organisations submitted a complaint today to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), asking it to take up this case, during its meeting in Banjul, The Gambia, which began on 19 February 2015. The African Commission is charged with monitoring the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Sudan is party.

The complaint concerns distinguished human rights defender Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, former Chairperson of the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor (SHRM), and Mr Farouq Abu Eissa, a political activist who is the Chairperson of the National Consensus Forces, an umbrella of political opposition groups in Sudan.

The Monitoring Report provides a detailed account of human rights violations documented by the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) including a rise in freedom of expression, association, and assembly violations in January 2015. Press censorship continued and restrictions on independent civil society surged. The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) raided the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor in late December and the Registrar of Cultural Groups ordered the closures of the Mahmoud Mohamed Taha Centre and the Sudanese Writers’ Union in January. The monitoring report also covers incidents of arbitrary arrest and excessive use of force against students at Red Sea University in Port Sudan, Kassala University in Kassala, and at the University of Bahri in Khartoum.

During the months of December 2014 and January 2015, Southern Kordofan (SK) saw a significant increase in the number of bombings and shellings, indicating that the dry season offensive continues to escalate. The number of bombings in December was almost double the number recorded in November, and in January the number increased further. Although the number of attacks was less than the number in the same months a year ago, the number of casualties was higher. The number of deaths more than tripled between November 2014 and January 2015, and in January 2015 alone the number of injuries reached the highest level since the monitoring began.

Not only have the attacks been severe in the number of casualties that they have produced, they have also caused significant property damage, with 49 animals reported killed and dozens of houses destroyed.

Rights groups welcome African Commission’s decision to uphold complaint of human rights defenders tortured in Sudan

(19 February 2015) The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT), the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) and REDRESS welcome the decision Africa’s main human rights treaty body has made which recognises Sudan’s obligation to protect human rights defenders and to ensure that their work promoting and protecting the rights of others is not hindered or frustrated.

In an important decision published on 13 February 2015, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) called on Sudan to effectively investigate and prosecute the security and intelligence officers alleged to be responsible for the arbitrary arrest, torture and ill-treatment of three prominent human rights defenders; to reopen and unfreeze the bank accounts of a human rights organisation shut down in connection with the case and to pay them compensation.

Human rights defenders Monim El Jak, Amir Suliman and the late Osman Hummaida were targeted for their supposed cooperation with the International Criminal Court in a pending case against the President of Sudan Omar Al Bashir arising from international crimes committed in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Arab League official expresses his concerns over detention of Abu Eissa and Madani by the security authorities

An official from the League of Arab States (LAS) expressed his grave concerns over the arrest of two famous Sudanese figures: D. Amin Mekki Madani, chairman of the Confederation of civil society organizations and the former UN envoy for human rights in the Middle East and North Africa, and Farouk Abu Issa, the chairman of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) , LAS official promised also to discuss these issues with officials in LAS in order to communicate with the Sudanese authorities to release them as well as other political Sudanese detainees.

Also in the context of the ACS campaign, to release political detainees, D. Abdelatif Obaid, the Assistant Secretary for LAS in Tunis, talked to Abdel Moneim Alhur, the representative of the ACS in Libya, about his deep concerns over the arrest of Mr. Madani, Mr. Abu eissa and other detainees and prisoners, by the Sudanese authorities. Mr. Alhur discussed with Mr. Obaid, the situation of public freedoms in Sudan, the continued arbitrary arrests, storming into universities and suppression of protests, pointing out that 200 citizens lost their lives in violence in 2013 due to the use of excessive force to disperse the demonstrators. He further referred to the killings and displacement of civilians in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur.

Weekly Report Brief: Failure of negotiations between the government and the movements leads to military escalation

(December 14, 2014) Immediately after the collapse of the "stalled" negotiations between the delegations of the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM/North) on the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, in conjunction with the failure of Darfur negotiations, fighting has renewed heavily in the state of South Kordofan. The news of battles between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) forces, were covered in all Sudanese newspapers with media
escalation from SAF's spokesperson and minister of defense.

Urgent statement: Arab Coalition for Sudan and the Arab network reject constitutional violations against some journalists

In a strange phenomenon of its kind, the Sudanese Minister of Energy,
Makkawi Mohamed Awad, summoned the journalist Murtada Ahmed, from
(Alahramsd) newspaper, to interrogate him over publishing a story about the
intention of the Ministry of Energy to free natural gas prices. A similar
incident had taken place by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Issa
Bushra, who summoned 15 journalists of those who cover the Parliament's
news. The investigation was about publication of mass resignations from the
cleaning company, entrusted with cleaning services at the parliament and
due to suspension of their salaries.

Urgent statement: ACS condemns the arrest of political
leaders and human rights activists

The Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS) condemns in strong language the arrest
of: D.amin Makki Madani, the lawyer and the international expert in human
rights fields, who is one of the founders of the ACS, Farouk Abu Issa, the
chairman of the oppositional National Consensus Forces (NCF), Farah Agar,
who is the head of the peace organization, development and reconstruction
goals, and a leader in the national forces for change, as well as his assistant
Mohamed Dodo, by the security authorities. The detention took place over
their signing of ' Sudan call' document. ACS also expresses its deep concern
for the health conditions experienced by those detainees.

Sudan detains political activists and human rights defenders to silence criticism

(10 December 2014) Sudan has detained two prominent public figures on their return from political negotiations held in Addis Ababa between Sudanese political and armed opposition groups. A large number of personnel from the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), arriving in six vehicles, arrested Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, (m), 76 years of age, and Farouq Abu Eissa, (m), 78 years of age, from their homes in Khartoum just before midnight on Saturday, 6 December. Although their families were not informed of the reasons for the arrests, the men were detained after signing the “Sudan Call” on 3 December in Addis Ababa. The “Sudan Call” is a political document that commits signatories “to dismantle the one-party state regime and replace it with a state founded on equal citizenship through daily popular struggle”. Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, a prominent member of civil society and human rights lawyer, signed the document on behalf of a group of civil society actors. Mr. Farouq Abu Eissa, 78 years of age, signed on behalf of the Sudanese Consensus Forces – an umbrella of political opposition parties – in his capacity as Chairperson of that group.

Sudan Call: Political Declaration on the Establishment of a State of Citizenship and Democracy

(3 December 2014) Cognizant that Sudan is sliding towards an abyss as a result of the policies of the regime, which came to power in the June 1989 coup, and divided the country and waged wars; imposed a single identity; spread hatred, animosity, and contempt for the other; subjected certain ethnic groups to genocide; drove millions into refugee and internal displacement camps; caused the secession of South Sudan; destroyed the economy by damaging productive projects and national wealth; propagated corruption; ruined the health and education sectors, the environment and national institutions; constricted citizens’ means of livelihood, driving them to emigration or unemployment; passed and enforced laws which demeaned and degraded the dignity and rights of Sudanese women and men; removed institutions providing democratic checks and balances and oversight; cracked down on the media and free expression in all its forms; placed our country under international scrutiny and opprobrium through 62 international resolutions with the country’s leadership charged before the International Criminal Court (ICC), in addition to a host of other policies that continue to push the country towards more division and total destruction.

(Paris-Geneva-Kampala, 7 December 2014) The Sudanese authorities must release immediately Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, an FIDH-OMCT joint programme, and the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) said today. The health and physical integrity of the human rights defender must be guaranteed by those who detain him.

On the evening of December 6, 2014, the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Dr. Amin Mekki Medani, a renowned human rights activist, President of the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) from his house in Khartoum.

In Southern Kordofan, the pattern of increased aerial bombardment, which began in late October, continued. Fifteen incidents of aerial bombardment were recorded in the first 15 days of November alone,1 reinforcing the belief that the increase in attacks is tied to the onset of the dry season. In Blue Nile, a number of bombing of civilian areas were also recorded.

The month of October saw a dramatic fourfold increase from the previous month in bombings in Southern Kordofan, particularly at the end of the month as the rains eased and the dry season approached. A total of 20 bombings were recorded by the monitors, with six bombings recorded in the last five days of the month.

The bombings in October were concentrated primarily in one geographic area, that of Delami County. Not only did thirteen of the bombing incidents occur there, but six of these incidents targeted just two villages.

Violations in the Nuba Mountains began to escalate with the end of the rainy season and the increase of the security and military presence. Several incidents occurred

Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS) and the Arab Network for Media
Crises (ANMC) condemn the arrest of journalist Al-Nour Ahmed Al-Nour,
the correspondent for “Al-Hayat” newspaper in Khartoum and the former
editor-in- chief of “Alsahafa” newspaper. Al-Nour was arrested on the
background of a news story in which he alleged that the president has issued a
decree about merging of electricity companies.

Regardless of the validity of the news or not, the judgment in similar cases is
not the competence of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS),
as it is not the affected party by the publication of such news and where it is
well known that, the aggrieved should resort to the judiciary system, not to
mention that procedure by NISS is a blatant violation to Sudan’s constitution
and laws as well as it is a flagrant violation to human rights charters signed by
Sudan.

statement: ACS condemns recent arrests and calls for continuation of the 90 days campaign

National Intelligence and Security Services apparatus (NISS) continued its harsh campaign of systematic arrests of human rights activists, politicians and students in the states of Khartoum and Southern Kordofan, since the beginning of this month. The most prominent and brutal attack was against female students from Darfur inside a students’ residence in Khartoum university, in the second day of Eid al-Adha, they were evicted by force in a barbaric behavior beyond the law and contrary to the customs, morals and benign Sudanese values.

A joint force of police and security forces with support of the "notorious" Rapid Support Forces broke into the students’ residence in order to evacuate it, as implementation of the unjust resolutions of privatization of educational institutions, which creates caste discrimination amid the students. The use of sticks, batons and tear gas resulted in large injuries amid the students, while the security forces arrested more than 30 students, three of whom were released, reported that they have experienced brutal torture, sexual harassment, obscene and racial abuse by the security elements.

The month of September was relatively calm in Southern Kordofan as the third year anniversary of outbreak of violence in Blue Nile passed. This calm, however, is widely seen as temporary and the continuation of attacks on civilians, statements by the government of Sudan that they are planning to continue offensives in the area and reports of troops massing in Blue Nile are all contributing to a continuing climate of fear.1 The Sudanese Armed Forces and the allied Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remain deployed close to populated areas and many are wary of tending to, and harvesting, their crops for fear of renewed government action.

On 8 September 2014, three rocket shells were fired from the Altamor area at the village of Allabou Fatah in Um Dorein. There were no casualties as a result of the attack, but the shelling did damage farms in the area. On September 29, 2014, there were two bombing incidents in Delami County in Southern Kordofan. The attacks in the villages of Mardis and Umethan did not cause any causalities, but they did damage to farming activity.

In the anniversary of September 2013 uprising, Sudanese regime continues its crackdown on freedoms

(24 September 2014) During this month that witnesses, the first anniversary of the glorious uprising of September 2013, during which more than 200 martyrs of peaceful demonstrators were killed in the streets of Khartoum and other Sudanese cities, Sudanese ruling regime continued its crackdown on political and civil liberties

While the military campaign and air strikes against civilians in the three Sudanese war zones continued, the storming of the IDP camps escalated, as happened two weeks ago in Kalma camp incursion by government militias. During this incursion, 8 civilians of the population of the camp were killed. In the same month, the regime executed the death sentence against two detainees of the “Justice and Equality Movement” .

FIDH and ACJPS: Sudan: One year after the September 2013 bloody repression victims still await truth and justice

Paris, Kampala, 22 September 2014 – Tomorrow, 23 September 2014, will mark the one year anniversary of the outbreak of demonstrations in cities throughout Sudan. These were sparked by the lifting of fuel subsidies the day before, and were met by Sudanese authorities with excessive force, including live ammunition, leading to the deaths of at least 185 people. Hundreds of people were detained, many without any charges ever being brought, and numerous activists were tortured and otherwise ill-treated. FIDH and ACJPS reiterate their call upon regional and international human rights bodies to condemn abuses and ensure investigation and justice.

Dear Sirs,
With due respect, we, the undersigned representatives of Darfur civil societies,
submit to you this statement for your consideration. The undersigned Darfur
civil societies consist of the following bodies: internally displaced persons (IDPs),
women, youth, students, media personnel and lawyers from the Darfur Bar
Association.

Join our Campaign to Tell the United Nations #HRC27 that #Sudan Needs Stronger Human Rights Monitoring

(12 September 2014) Between Monday 15 September and Friday 19 September, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and partners are running a twitter campaign highlighting human rights violations around Sudan and calling members of the UN Human Rights Council at its 27th session to take seriously the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan.

Stop the Bombardment of Innocent Civilians in Darfur, Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan and Blue Nile

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” (Elie Wiesel)

(8 September 2014) Expressing our alarm and concern with the ongoing bombardment, loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties and livelihood in Darfur, and Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where the government of Sudan has dropped over 3,000 bombs since April 2012.

(8 September 2014) To mark the third anniversary of the resumption of civil war in Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan, Sudan Democracy First Group is today launching a campaign to draw attention to the conflict’s effects on civilian communities. The campaign includes a series of posters calling for an end to the government of Sudan’s (GoS) aerial bombardment of civilians in areas under rebel control and the schools, hospitals, mosques and churches servicing them. Throughout the month, SDFG will release other campaign materials, including videos, drawings produced by children affected by the conflict, a booklet comprising the narratives of women victims, and briefing papers, all of which document the harsh living conditions Sudanese affected by war continue to face within the country and in refugee camps. "The GoS has recently agreed to open humanitarian corridors to relieve citizens of the Republic of South Sudan displaced by conflict in their country, and sent supplies to the victims of Israeli bombardments in Gaza," noted SDFG executive Director Dr. Suliman Baldo. "But who will relieve the suffering of the Sudanese who find themselves behind rebel lines or who have been forced from their homes?"

Attacks on civilians in opposition held areas of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile continued in July and August 2014, with five incidents reported in July and eight in August. The attacks killed two people, injured five, killed 60 animals and damaged property and crops.

Refugees from Blue Nile in camps in Maban County, South Sudan were caught up in renewed violence, which caused aid disruptions and widespread fear in the camps.

Sudan: Those behind unlawful killings and torture of protesters must be brought to justice

(3 September 2014) The brutal suppression of protest in Sudan must end, and members of the security forces responsible for killing, injuring, and torturing protesters must be held to account, said Amnesty International and the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) in a report published today.

(Cairo, 2 September, 2014) The Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS) and the Arab Network for Media Crisis (ANMC), expresses their deep concern about the fate of a number of detainees arrested for political reasons, several numbers of innocent civilians, under the pretext of their being members of the armed movements, have been arrested after each military operation between the government's army and the armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile. Similar campaigns have been waged by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in a number of Sudan's states, particularly, the state of Khartoum. Some of the detainees were referred to the judiciary on charges punishable by death, whilst some are still under detention without trials. Among those arrested: politicians, journalists, students and human rights activists from various civil society organizations. Detainees included some women. And as a result of physical and psychological cruel torture, the health conditions of some detainees had deteriorated, leaving them in need of health care; whilst their relatives were not even able to visit them to reassure about their health conditions.

(Cairo, 2 September 2014) The Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS) and the Arab Network for Media Crisis (ANMC) launched the (90) days campaign to collect signatures for the release of all political detainees, to drop charges against convicted on political issues in Sudan, under the slogan "Freedom is a right, not a gift," which starts from the beginning of September until the end of November. They called on all human rights activists, regional and international organizations to join this campaign, as well as they called on all Sudanese citizens at home and abroad to join that campaign to put pressure on the Sudanese government so as to release detainees.

The Sudanese Human Rights Network (SHRN) had received perturbing news about a campaign of mass arrests amongst resident of El Salam camp for the displaced in Nyala, South Darfur; the arrests are schemed and executed by a joint security force. This cruel campaign, has detained about 70 people from El Salam camp, many of them were released a few days later while the others were taken to an unknown destination.

More than 127,000 Sudanese Refugees are at Risk of Massacre in Camps in South Sudan Eruption of Violence in Maban, Upper Nile, Targets Humanitarian Aid Workers

(6 August 2014) On 3 August, the security situation in Maban County in Upper Nile State, in South Sudan, has deteriorated. The capital city Bunj, has witnessed sporadic bouts of killing and shelling over the past three days. The violence threatened the lives of over 127,000 Sudanese refugees from Blue Nile, spread over four camps in Maban. In addition, thousands of humanitarians aid workers and civilians of South Sudan have faced the armed violence.

NGO Letter Regarding Human Rights Situation in Sudan at the 27th session of the Human Rights Council

To Permanent Representatives of member and observer states of the UN Human Rights Council.

Arab Coalition for Sudan and the Arab Network for Media Crisis call for a broad front to defend freedom and protect journalists

(Cairo, July 24, 2014) Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS) and the Arab Network for Media Crisis (ANMC) condemn the brutal assault against Osman Mirghani, the editor- in -chief of Atayyar newspaper.The attack was carried out by an armed group driving two four wheel drive cars that stormed the newspaper headquarters and attacked him till he lost his consciousness. Mr. Mirghani was transferred to the hospital later.

(July 21, 2014) Fifty percent of the Sudanese people lives below the poverty line, which amounts to 15 million of Sudanese citizens; says the scaring statistics declared by United Nations. Yet that is natural due to the internal wars plaguing across the country. The state budget has become a war budget, whereas expenditure of security alone represents more than 50% of the whole budget, and the repercussions of the conflict led to homelessness, displacement, high cost of living, downtime in agricultural areas; not to mention the spread of corruption at the highest levels.

Weekly Report Brief: SPLM-North alliance with Hilal and
the unfulfilled dialogue frustrates Doha

(July 14, 2014) In an attempt to broaden its political and military alliances, the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council (SRAC) led by Hilal, the leader of Mahameed tribe. In the meantime an undisclosed tension between Doha and Khartoum was contained during the two days’ visit of Sudan’s president to Doha. President Omar Al Bashir, discussed a number of issues with his counterpart Emir of Qatar, particularly; the national dialogue in Sudan. Meanwhile, the Sudanese authorities released some political prisoners and kept the others.

The Arabic Network for Media Crisis denounces the continuous
detention of Hassan Essaq

(Cairo, July 3, 2014) The Arab Network for Media Crisis denounces the continuation of detention of Hassan Isaac by the Sudanese authority and expresses its deep
concern over his being brutally tortured by the police; it also confirms the authorities’ responsibility for his safety.

Isaac (31) years old was arrested by the detective police on the tenth of June, from inside El-Nihud city market and during his performance of his duties as a journalist. He was detained and interrogated after the publication of an interview with Ibrahim El-Sheikh, the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party, following a field visit he carried out with the members of his party to residents in North and South Kordofan States, whereas he accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of looting, killing and spreading of fear and anxiety among civilians, which has resulted in his detention.