Eight students to stand trial in Port Sudan
January 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Eight students, belonging to the eastern Sudanese Beja ethnic group, will Sunday stand trial in the Red Sea Port City of Port Sudan for organizing a demonstration in commemoration of the victims of the September 2013 massive riots against hikes in fuel prices.
Tens of people were killed or hurt in 2013 protests which were sparked by a government decision to lift the subsidy on fuel prices. The Government had conceded at the time to the death of 85 persons while rights groups had said not less than 200 were killed in the demonstrations.
A statement from the United Popular Front for Liberation and Justice (UPFLJ) said the 8 students would be sued ‘’ for disturbing public peace and security.’’
The UPFLJ has warned the authorities against any harm which could be inflicted upon the students.
It considered the trial an attempt to block possible protests on 29 January which coincide with the anniversary of wide rioting in Port Sudan in 2005 where several people were killed or hurt.
“We consider the trial of the students as an early attempt to quell any protests that might occur to commemorate the massacre of Port Sudan,” further said the group which is a member of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front.
Over 20 people were killed in Port Sudan on 29 January 2005 when thousands of protesters called for the end of an armed conflict in the impoverished province and to provide job opportunities.
The Front has called upon lawyers and right defenders to defend the students. Further, it urged the locals to attend the trial and express their indignation over what the statement called “government’s repression and abuse of government’’.
The Red Sea authorities had detained the eight students for some time and then released them on bail.
The Front said the eights were detained following a sit in they organized in solidarity the “martyrs of 29 January”.
(ST)