Sudan: Protect civilians' lives, end mass arrests, targeting of lawyers, doctors, activists

The whereabouts of hundreds of detainees are unknown, as they remain at risk of torture, unfair trials, and execution. Lawyers in different states face unprecedented crackdowns impacting the detainees’ right to legal aid. Civic space, communications networks, and access to humanitarian services have been curtailed.

We call on the warring parties to cease fire immediately and facilitate humanitarian aid, justice, and honour human rights. The international community must demand an end to violence, facilitate protection, pursue justice mechanisms, and support local humanitarian efforts.

Background

The Sudanese Sovereign Council reinstated the Sudanese National Security Laws last May, specifically, the infamous laws used by the former regime to suppress civic freedoms and punish human rights activists. The law was suspended following the 2018 revolution that toppled the former regime.  Several local state governors issued emergency decrees granting arrest and interrogation authority to joint forces created following the war. The joint forces include military intelligence, police, and national security. The de facto government in Port Sudan escalated its activities following the powers vested with joint forces in the areas under the SAF’s control.

Some of the lawyers, activists, volunteers, and journalists detained and tortured have been subjected to unfair trials and received either imprisonment sentences of two years or more or execution. The RSF has detention centres within their areas of control around Sudan, where thousands of civilians and activists have been detained for months. Detainees inside RSF areas are facing execution, torture, and inhumane treatment. The militia continues to target and kill doctors, journalists, and activists in their areas of control.

Killing and detention by the RSF

Journalist Tarik Abdullah was arrested by the RSF in Khartoum in late May and taken to an unknown place. In different areas in Khartoum, healthcare professionals were targeted and arrested by the RSF. In the Ed Babikir area in Khartoum, the RSF arrested large numbers of residents and took them to unknown locations, where some detainees were reportedly killed following torture. The arrest campaign followed an attack on the areas, where at least seven civilians were killed. In Aljazeera state, the militia killed and arrested dozens of civilians whose whereabouts remain unknown.

In Omdurman, Ahmed Sidig, a member of the Umma Party, was arrested by the RSF for more than three weeks, and he was taken to an unknown location. Dr. Mohamed Elhassan Muslam was killed following a raid on his house on 16 July by the RSF.  In Alhalba village, west of Eldowaim city in White Nile state, the RSF killed Dr. Anas Abduallah while on duty following a raid on the hospital. Dr. Abd Alhamid Toufiq has been detained by the RSF inside Suba prison since November 2023. He was the medical director of Jabal Awlya Hospital and was arrested during an RSF attack on the area.

Mass arrests in SAF Control Areas

In the Blue Nile state, journalist Sidig Dallai has been detained for more than two months by military intelligence. He was arrested following a social media post in solidarity with an activist killed inside a military intelligence detention center in Aljazeera state last April. Salah Altayeb, a volunteer and member of the Congress Party, died under torture inside another military intelligence detention centre in Alazazy. He was buried on 17 April, and his family was not informed.

In Algadref city of eastern Sudan in early May, security forces arrested three volunteers providing support services to internally displaced persons for the second time in three weeks. Local authorities charged two detainees under the information law. Although they were arrested in April, Ziad and Hassan’s whereabouts are still unknown. Detainees have had limited access to legal aid and no access to family visits since they were arrested. In Algadref and following the attack on Sennar state, locals reported the arrest of men on a street near the city market. Detainees were primarily young men and were taken to unknown locations.

The authorities in River Nile state conducted a mass wave of arrests to detain activists and lawyers. On 23 June, in River Nile state, lawyer Amal Alzain was detained for three days. She reported maltreatment and was denied access to both her family and prescribed medicines. Her husband Awad Bayen, also a lawyer, was detained on 26 June and remains in detention. Journalist Abu Agla Amasa was arrested in Shendi by military intelligence and was taken to an unknown location in addition to Dr. Osman Bashir on 16 July, whose location remains unknown.

In White Nile state, lawyer Mohmoud Jarad was detained by the Sudanese Army Intelligence on 9 June and taken to an unknown location. At least four other lawyers were detained, and some of their offices were raided during the last few weeks. The authorities also led another vicious campaign against lawyers in Rabak and Kosty cities in the White Nile state. Family members were threatened and detained on several occasions.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, Sudanese authorities denied the renewal of travel documents for Hanan Hassan, an Emergency Lawyers’ group member. The embassy in Uganda informed Hassan that she was denied renewal due to a decision made by the general prosecutor in Port Sudan.

On 8 July, the Army Intelligence arrested lawyer Abd Alrahim Jumaa in Alnohod city in North Kordofan state. Umma party members were detained in Aljazeera, Sennar, and the River Nile state. In some incidents in Sennar and the River Nile state, the Army Intelligence arrested family members as hostages to ensure the surrender of political party members.

Following these atrocities, we reiterate the following demands to the warring parties, States, and the international community:

The warring parties:

1. An immediate ceasefire and the prompt creation of safe corridors for humanitarian aid organisations and groups guaranteeing the safety of operations
2. Sudanese authorities to ensure fair trials and access to legal aid for detainees or those convicted of crimes
3. An immediate restoration of telecommunications services across the country
4. Cease attacks on activists, lawyers, and health workers and uphold international law standards on human rights obligations
5. Urgently and immediately release all detained human rights defenders (HRDs) unconditionally
6. Guarantee civic freedoms by removing all restrictions for citizens to freely express and peacefully assemble and associate without fear of reprisals and retribution

States and the international community:

1. Pressure the fighting parties to protect civilians and uphold their responsibility under international humanitarian laws
2. Demand disclosure of the whereabouts of the disappeared and release of detainees. Urgently address the issue of enforced disappearances, grave violations, and gender-based violence in detention centres.
3. Call for the reinforcement and protection of medical staff as per international humanitarian laws
4. Support the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) and other international mechanisms mandated to document human rights violations in Sudan. Ensure these entities have the necessary resources to carry out their work effectively.
5. Declare support for joint civil society calls on States to create an immediate long-term protection program for HRDs, including women activists
6. Support local humanitarian support initiatives to communities. Ensure the provision of services to survivors.
7. Support civil society documentation and reporting so that the evidence obtained can be used for future judicial proceedings [NK3]

Signatories:

1. CIVICUS
2. Sudanese Women Rights Action (SUWRA)
3. The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA)
4. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)