© Photo: MENA WHRD Coalition
ISHR joins civil society groups in calling for the immediate release of Sudanese women human rights defenders in detention, and accountability for the crimes committed against them.
On 10 February 2022, the Sudanese security forces arrested 2 women; Ibthal Adil and Ala Shams Eldin, from their homes during a raid in Omdurman. On 9 February, Solafa Saad was arrested on fabricated grounds implicating her and a group of activists in the mysterious death of a police officer.
The Sudanese security forces started a new arrest campaign in the last weeks. More than 160 activists are currently in detention, their whereabouts still unknown.
Since the military coup on 25 October 2021, Sudanese women human rights defenders (WHRDs) have been facing unprecedented attacks. On 19 December 2021, at least 13 women were raped during ongoing protests, and dozens of women protesters reported sexual assault during arrest attempts. Women inside detention are at risk of torture, maltreatment and sexual abuse. According to the recently released women detainees, the conditions inside detention are appallingly inhumane.
We call for the immediate release of WHRDs and women detainees, in addition to dropping all fabricated charges against them. We also call for an immediate independent and impartial investigation into the crimes of sexual violence perpetrated both during protests and arrest. We demand accountability for the crimes committed against Sudanese women!
Signatories:
At the Human Rights Council’s 63rd session (HRC63), Hong Kong human rights defenders Carmen Lau and Anna Kwok brought their testimony of transnational repression before the Council, as States renewed scrutiny of China’s human rights record.
The public session of the 89th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 12 to 21 October. The public session will be preceded by a training session organised jointly by ISHR, Front Line Defenders and Defend Defenders on 6, 7 and 11 October, and the NGO Forum, organised by ACDHRS from 8 to 10 October.
On 28 September, a delegation from the Government of Sierra Leone presented its fourth report under the Universal Periodic Review to the Human Rights Council. Of the 310 recommendations received, Sierra Leone 'took note' of 39 and accepted 271, of which 19 on the protection of human rights defenders and their working environment.
