SPLM-N criticizes government campaign against Sudanese Christians

December 31, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has accused the Sudanese authorities of orchestrating a systematic campaign against Christians, saying their conditions as deteriorating.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune Thursday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol, demanded the Sudanese authorities to respect the rights of citizenship set forth in the constitution and to immediately stop persecution that is based upon religious grounds.

Ardol pledged to take unnamed measures to ensure that Christians are allowed to exercise their rituals freely.

Sudanese Christians have recently complained about continued prosecutions and demolition of churches. It is widely believed that the government campaign against them has mounted following the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir had previously vowed to apply Islamic Shari’a law, saying there is no place for the advocates of secularism in his country.

The rebel spokesperson added the mounting campaign against Christians includes detaining and trials of priests, demolition of churches and intimidating those who are performing their religious rites.

Earlier this month, the Sudanese authorities detained the Christian priests Kuwa Shimal and Hassan Abdel-Rahim.

Ardol further urged rights groups and activists to support the Christians against mistreatment by the Sudanese authorities.

Article 6 (A) of Sudan’s 2005 transitional constitution provides that the State shall respect the right to worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief and to establish and maintain places for these purposes.

(ST)