Sudanese-Canadians call for democratic reform and repeal of security laws

By Lomumba Eman

December 23, 2009 (OTTAWA) — About 40 Sudanese-Canadians in Canada’s capital Ottawa today braved sub-zero temperatures to participate in a peaceful demonstration calling for democratic reform in Sudan and the repeal of the security laws passed last week by the NCP-dominated national assembly.

The demonstrators, who gathered in front of the Sudanese embassy on Stewart Street, chanted anti-government slogans for about an hour. A key point of their anger was directed at the election registration process, which many called flawed because it barred many Sudanese-Canadians from registering due to lack of the required document, mainly a Sudanese passport.

“Sudanese in Canada are estimated to be 25, 000 and only 128 were registered. So they were deprived of their right to exercise democracy,” said El Bagir Osman, a member of the coalition that organized the demonstration.

Osman also denounced the government of Sudan for tramping on democracy by passing a set of repressive security laws last week.

In a petition addressed to President Omar El Beshir, First Vice President Salva Kirr, and the National Assembly, the demonstrators voiced support for the national coalition forces in Sudan, respect for basic human rights and an end to suppression of street demonstrations in Khartoum.

However, the Canadian police, who kept watch, informed the protester about the embassy officials declined to receive the statement. Throughout the demonstration, embassy officials remained locked in the embassy building, with some occasionally peeping through curtains to observe the demonstrators.

(ST)