Sudanese rights group condemns post-election violence and unrestricted tortures

The Sudan Human Rights Organization – Cairo watched with deep concerns the continuous adoption of violence by the elected Government of Sudan, which allowed the security and police forces to exercise unrestricted repression and tortures, in addition to anti-constitutional curtailment of the public rights and freedoms – thus making the worst start of the post-elections’ rule.

Recently, the government detained Hassan al-Turabi for unidentifiable period, arrested Farouq Abu Eissa for hours, and prevented Mariam al-Sadiq and others from legal travel abroad. The authorities launched a campaign to persecute other opponents and journalists, including the torture of Aba Zer al-Amin. Lawless actions were frequently passed by security and police officers over Darfuri students, including tortures and family harassment.

Most recently, the security and police forces used increased violence, arbitrary arrest, torture, and unlawful detention to suppress a peaceful rally publicly organized by the Sudan Doctors’ Union. Although raising professional claims to reform the deteriorating health of the country, the rally was abruptly ended by grave casualties, besides the arrest of Dr. al-Hadi Bakheit and Dr. Ahmed al-Abwabi. Serious intimidation was conducted against the union’s secretary, Dr. Nahid Mohamed al-Hassan, that compelled her to seek refuge at the United Nations Office in Khartoum for her life safety.

* The Organization condemns in the strongest terms possible the persecution policies and practices Government has been pursuing against the constitutional rights of people;

* We ask the competent authorities to restrain the security and police forces from authority abuses;

* We call on the immediate release of all detainees, provision of medical attention by the security and police departments to the injured parties, and judicial compensation for the injuries;

* We ask the government to put to trial the officials who issued orders or implemented them to suppress the peaceful rally by violent arrests and tortures; and

* We urge the Government of Sudan to negotiate peacefully with the doctors’ union by international labor norms to allow all striking doctors to resume medical services in agreement with medical administrations.