Freedom of expression and association under siege in Sudan

On 30th August 2006, hundreds of Sudanese police and security forces violently broke up a peaceful demonstration in “green tomb square” (previously “UN square”) in Khartoum organised by political opposition parties and civil society groups protesting at rising petroleum and sugar prices. Organisers had intended to submit a memorandum to the President of Sudan in complaint of the rising prices.

Protestors were beaten and dispersed by armed riot police who shelled the area with tear gas. Sidig Mahgoub Munawar, a 62 year old man suffocated to death from the effects of the tear gas.

An unknown number of protestors were arrested during the incident. SOAT has the details of 35 individuals who were arrested and subjected to summary trials on the following day, 31 August 2006. Eye witness accounts suggest that police and security officers were arbitrarily arresting individuals in the vicinity regardless of whether they were demonstrating or not. Access to “green tomb square” was blocked by police patrols and access roads were closed to the area.

SOAT is seriously concerned that the Government of Sudan has initiated a targeted crackdown on political activists in the country in response to the protests.

Five prominent political activists were arrested in Khartoum during the early hours of 30th August 2006 prior to the demonstration. Two of the detainees were released after ten hours and SOAT does not have information on the whereabouts of the remaining three detainees.

In a similar incident, four members of the Communist Party of Sudan were arrested by Security Forces in Kosti city on 1 September 2006. The four men were taken to offices belonging to the National Security in Kosti and interrogated for 3-4 hours before their release. At the time of their arrest, the four men were making public announcements over a loudspeaker system from a car, publicising a demonstration planned to take place the following day, Saturday 2 September 2006 at Freedom Square in Kosti city. They had received prior permission to hold the demonstration on that date from the Security Committee in Kosti. Permission was also granted to use microphones to advertise a demonstration, make public speeches and deliver a memorandum to the Governor of Kosti city. On 1 September at 11pm, organisers were informed by the Security Committee that permission to hold the protest had been withdrawn for security reasons.

The demonstrations in Khartoum and Kosti had been planned as a joint initiative between a variety of political opposition groups including the Communist Party, Umma Party, Democratic Unionist Party, New Democratic Forces Party (HAQ), the Arab Nassrist Party and a number of Trade Unions. Both protests were organised in response to the recent increases in the prices of petroleum and sugar.

SOAT condemns the arbitrary use of power by police and security forces and calls on the Government of National Unity (GoNU) to immediately establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry into the incidents in Khartoum and the death of Sidig Mahgoub Munawar.

SOAT stresses the need for the GoNU to respect the provisions of the Interim Constitution of Sudan with particular attention to Article 40 (1) which states that “the right to peaceful assembly shall be guaranteed” and that “every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties”.

Arrests, detention and convictions 30 August – 1 September 2006

Political activists arrested in Khartoum prior to the demonstration in Khartoum

In the early hours of 30 August 2006 preceding the demonstration at “green tomb square” security forces in Khartoum initiated a campaign of arrests of political activists.

Details of political activists known to have been arrested and taken to Khartoum North security offices (Political Section) are as follows:

Sattiaa Mohamed Alhag (m), lawyer, Arab Nassrist Party
Ibrahim Ahmed Alsheikh (m), Sudanese National Congress Party
Alfatih Omer Alsaied (m), Sudanese National Congress Party
Mohamed Dia-aldin (m), Baathist Arab Party
Alhag Warrag Sid Ahmed, column writer with Alsahafa daily, ex-chairperson of “The New Forces Movement” (HAQ)

Sattiaa Mohamed Alhag and Alhag Warrag Sid Ahmed were detained without interrogation for ten hours and released without charge on the same day, 30th August 2006. There were reportedly six other people detained in the same room with them and possibly others detained elsewhere in the same building.

SOAT does not have information on the whereabouts of the other detainees, and calls on the Government of Sudan to make public the number of arrests made and whereabouts of all individuals arrested.

Demonstrators arrested in Khartoum and subjected to summary trials

At least 35 individuals arrested during the demonstration in Khartoum on 30th August were subjected to summary trials in three courts in Khartoum. Defendants were charged under Articles 67 (Rioting) and 69 (Disturbance of Public Peace) of the 1991 Penal Code. 11 individuals were found guilty and 25 were released not guilty or in the absence of valid charges.

11 individuals were found guilty:

Mohamed Suleiman Hor (m, 25 yrs), a graduate of the Faculty of Arts, University of Khartoum, Zaghawa tribe was sentenced to one month imprisonment. He was transferred to Omdurman prison on 1 September 2006. Mohamed Suleiman Hor is a torture survivor and a patient at SOAT’s partner organisation in Sudan, the Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture. He has been receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation services since 2005. SOAT’s partner organisation, the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development (KCHRED) submitted an appeal on 3 September 2006, requesting the release of their client on the basis that he is undergoing treatment to enable him to recover from the effects of torture.

Alamin Idris Awad (m) sentenced to fine of SD. 30000 or one month imprisonment

Mohieldin Hasan Altahir (m) sentenced to fine of SD. 30000 or one month imprisonment

Abdullah Abdelsalam (m) sentenced to fine of SD. 30000 or one month imprisonment

Higazi Ali (m) sentenced to fine of SD. 30000 or one month imprisonment

Surag-aldin Yousif (m) sentenced to two months imprisonment

Suleiman Tahir (m) sentenced to two months imprisonment

Alsadig Hassan (m) sentenced to SD.10000 or one month imprisonment

Nazik Izzeldin Abass (f, 28yrs), graduate of Al-Sudan University and member of the Sudanese Students Democratic Front, currently working in a private company, sentenced to SD.10000 or one month imprisonment

Ibrahim Atta-almannan Al-zubair (m, 31), graduate of University of Khartoum, sentenced to SD.10000 or one month imprisonment

Mohamed Omer Idris (m), member of Umma Party, sentenced to one month imprisonment.

25 individuals were released either found not guilty or in the absence of valid charges:

1. Abdelgadir Mubarak Abass (m, 31yrs), graduate of Delenj University, case dropped in the absence of valid charges

2. Garang Akwanj Makol (m, 23 yrs), law student at Juba University, case dropped in the absence of valid charges

3. Hatim Alamin Gadane (m, 30 yrs), graduate of Omdurman University, case dropped in the absence of valid charges

4. Mohamed Badawi Gurashi (m, 18 yrs), worker in Printing Press Company, case dropped in the absence of valid charges

5. Abu-obaida Ibrahim Musalam (m, 32 yrs), religious councilor, case dropped in the absence of valid charges

6. Ahmed Ezairig Ahmed (m, 30 yrs), retailer, Souq Libya, Omdurman Market , case dropped in the absence of valid charges

7. Iman Mohamed Abdelraheem (f, 26yrs), agricultural engineer, working with a private company, found not guilty

8. Zakia Mohamed Siddig (f, 25yrs), university graduate teacher working in an English language institute, found not guilty

9. Nagi Mahgoub Mohamed (m), university graduate, found not guilty

10. Ibrahim Alsafi (m), Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), released in the absence of valid charges

11. Mamoun Yousif Almamoun (m), Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), released in the absence of valid charges

12. Dr. Mohamed Yaquob Shadad (m), teaching staff, Colleague of Engineering, University of Khartoum, released in the absence of valid charges

13 students from Khartoum University released in the absence of valid charges.

SOAT is aware that additional trials are ongoing and will continue to monitor the situation.

Political Activists Arrested in Kosti City

On 1 September 2006 at 6pm, the following four members of the Communist Party of Sudan were arrested by Security Forces in Kosti city;

1. Mr. Amar Elsir Ahmed

2. Mr. Mustafa Abas Hassan

3. Mr. Marwa

4. Mr. Mudather

The four men were taken to the offices of the National Security where they were interrogated. Mr. Marwa was released without charge at 9pm the same evening, and the remaining three detainees were released at 10pm.

SOAT calls on the Government of National Unity (GoNU) to:

– Immediately establish an independent, impartial commission of inquiry into the incidents in Khartoum and the death of Sidig Mahgoub Munawar and to make the commission findings public upon completion;
– Cease the campaign of arbitrary arrests and harassment of political activists
– Immediately release all the detainees in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times, adhering to international standards for fair trial
– Make public the whereabouts of all individuals arrested and take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all detainees;
– Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with the Interim National Constitution which provides under article 40 (1) that “…The right to peaceful assembly shall be guaranteed; every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his interests”.
– Comply with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Sudan is a State Party;
– Adhere to Article 29 of the Interim National Constitution which states that “every person has the right to liberty and security of person; no person shall be subjected to arrest, detention, deprivation or restriction of his liberty except for reasons and in accordance with procedures prescribed by law”
– End impunity for crimes committed by government forces

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