Sudanese civil society actvisits condemn security crackdown against Darfuris

May 14, 2008 — We, the undersigned to this statement from the Sudanese civil society, are concerned about the testing events that took place and is currently taking place in the national capital especially in Omdurman. This has created a state of panic for one’s own personal and collective safety of citizens from different ethnic and social backgrounds.

We are aware of the responsibilities of the Law enforcement bodies to implement law and order and its constitutional rights to use force. However, we believe it is necessary to highlight that the role and responsibilities of other government institutions to bring peace to Darfur through dialogue and democratic participation. And the importance to respond quickly to the demands of the people of Darfur, which includes averting from targeting civilians, and the safe return for refugees and IDPs to their land of origin, and to comprehend justice for victims and in turn seek reconciliation and healing.

The responsibilities of the Law enforcement agencies are also governed by the constitution which demands respect for the law, and not to target, arrest or torture individuals on ethnic basis. We sign this statement and in our memory the events that took place in the national capital Khartoum on 2nd July 1976, and in more recently the events that took place following the death of Dr John Garang and its negative implications and polarization on the Sudanese social fabric. And following the events of this week in Omdurman and the media campaign that insist on using the term ‘mercenary’ to describe some of those who are of non-Arab origins, the individual hunt campaign, arrests, and torture. All this only increases panic and alarm in the use of ethnically based targeting which seeks individuals who are or appear to be from the Darfur region who are based in the capital. This is dangerous precedent and unwarranted act which thrusts the country towards more turmoil.

As stated above, we are aware of the need to maintain safety measures and security in the capital; however, we remind these institutions to also respect the law. The search campaign against individuals in their homes, roads, public transport which is being largely based on ethnic profiling will only create racial divisions in its worst form. This is what is illegitimate under the constitution in relation to articles in spirit of pride, dignity, equality, and protection from maltreatment and torture. These are the very same articles which Sudan has to abide with under the various international human rights protocols. We would also like to mention that security is also related to justice, to be promptly charged and fair trial for all of those who are detained. And before that, abide by the Geneva Convention, especially in relation to the treatment of Prisoners of War, and Convention on the Rights of the Children, especially that most of those detained in suspicion of taking part in the attack appear to of have been tortured and are children or underage.

In conclusion, we the undersigned from the Sudanese civil society call for recent violent events not to be used to create a state of fear amongst the citizens and to divide them along ethnic lines, which will lead to the destruction of the Sudan social fabric. In addition, these events should not be used as an excuse to decrease the relative margin in certain rights, at this critical time of Sudan’s history, including civil and political rights, freedom of expression, , movement, peaceful gathering and other needs for democratic reforms, which will push for good governance in accordance to the law and the interim constitution.

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Signed by:

Alhaj Warrag

Kamal Algizouli

Dr Amin Maki Madani

Abdel-Moniem Elgak

Dr Murtada Algali

Amal Abass

Dr Aisha Elkarib

Ali Alagab

Magdi Elgezoli

Telal Afifi

Osman Hummanda

Khalid Fadil

Yai Josif

Faisal Albagir

Rabah Alsadeg Almahadi

Dr Albagir Alafif

Magdi Elnaim

Hala Yasin Elkarib

Dr Omar Algarai

Suad Ibrahim Ahmed

Atim Saimon

Alsir Alsaeyed

Amir Mohamed Suliman

Najla Eltoum

Haydar Almekashfi

Rasha Awad

Faisal Mohamed Salih

Hadia Hasballah

Salah Awooda

Zeinab Abass

Ala eldin Bashir

Dr Mohamed Jalal Hashim

Afaf Abu Kashawa

Najat Bushra Hamid

Wail Taha

Samia Ibrahim

Abdelsalam Hassan Abdelsalam

Iman Shagag

Dr Mudawi Ibrahim

Faroug Abu- Essa

Dr. Ahmed Abusin

Munzer Maali