Sudanese opposition group complains against violations by security services
August 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Committee for Solidarity (SCS) on Tuesday has complained to the Sudan National Human Rights Commission (SNHRC) against violations of human rights committed by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
SCS delegates including Siddig Youssef, Rahma Atig and Jalal Mustafa have submitted the complaint to the SNHRC against human rights violations committed by the NISS particularly the recent detention campaign carried out against members of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP).
Established in 2012, SNHRC is the country’s first and only national human rights institution. Its legal basis is found in the National Interim Constitution 2005 and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the war between the North and South. It is comprised of 15 members and currently headed by Amal al-Tinai.
It is worth noting that SCoP continued to hold speeches in public areas such as the markets and gathering places to urge the citizens to resist the government policies.
Last week, the SCoP said the NISS detained three of its members including Widad Darwish, Khalid Omer Youssef, and Magdi Okasha.
Also, on Monday it said that NISS detained Wifag Qurashi from the SCoP student chapter at the University of Khartoum besides Mohamed Osman Nugd Allah and al-Bashir Mudawi from the University of Kordofan.
SCoP said they filed a complaint with the Political Parties Affairs Council (PPAC) urging them to interfere to preserve rights of the party members. However, the legal department at the PPAC told them that they would consider the complaint and respond to it in September.
In its memo to the SNHRC, the SCS said that detainees from the rebel groups are facing the death penalty in abnormal conditions, saying that more than 20 political activists are being held in prisons over charges contrary to the constitution and the law.
It called upon the international community to interfere to protect the detainees and convicts particularly those facing the death penalty.
SCS said in a press conference on Tuesday the detention campaign included politicians and students from the various Sudanese colleges, noting the government continues its humiliating arrests against opposing activists and politicians.
NISS enjoys wide-ranging powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure under the country’s 2010 National Security Act.
Meanwhile, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi has condemned the arbitrary arrests campaign against SCoP members.
SLM-MM assistant chairman for political affairs, Abu Obieda al-Khalifa, described the arbitrary detention as a “crime”, saying it reflects the nature and size of the crisis of the regime.
He wondered how can the regime speak about democratic transformation and dialogue while it doesn’t tolerate freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, warning the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) against consequences of this conduct.
Al-Khalifa further reiterated the need for creating conducive climate for dialogue, demanding addressing the miserable humanitarian conditions in the conflicts areas, stopping the war, releasing prisoners and convicts and allowing freedoms.
(ST)