Sudanese activists protest against crackdown on civil society groups

February 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organizations (CSCSOs) Wednesday held a sit-in to protest against government crackdown on civil society groups and activists.

“This symbolic gesture is meant as an expression of disapproval and protest to the increasing violations that independent Sudanese civil society organisations and their leaders are facing from the Sudanese authorities,” the CSCSOs said.

The group said the sit-in aims to express their anger against the unjustified closures of several civil society groups and confiscation of their assets.

The peace protest also means to condemn the imprisonment of the CSCSOs president, Amin Mekki Madani who has been arrested since the 6th of December after the signing of “Sudan Call” declaration with the rebel groups in Addis Ababa, the activists stressed.

CSCSOs spokesperson al-Barag Nazir al-Warag told Sudan Tribune that “the sit-in was very successful and managed to deliver (their) message” and to draw the attention of the Sudanese public and the international community, to “the increasing harassment and obstruction of civil activity”.

“Words and peaceful actions are the only means to expression our objection” and to campaign for freedoms and human rights in Sudan, al-Warag added .

The activist further warned that the sit-in will be followed by other forms of objection.

In the past, the group attempted to organise a number of sit-in outside the building of the Human Rights Commission and presidential palace. But the security forces violently dispersed their protests.

(ST)