Continuing Human Rights Violations in S. Kordofan and Blue Nile (Sudan)

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Published on: December 6, 2011

Continuing Human Rights Violations in S. Kordofan and Blue Nile (Sudan) – PDF

                                                                                       

Sudan Human Rights Network (SHRN) is deeply concerned about the continued detention and imprisonment of political activists in Sudan. The eruption of new armed conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan States have resulted in serious human rights abuses and violation of international humanitarian law, including extrajudicial and other unlawful killings by government forces and government aligned militia, torture, beating, arbitrary arrest and detention incommunicado detention of suspected government opponents and harsh prison conditions.

 

The armed conflict and indiscriminate aerial bombardment led to widespread destruction of homes and properties, which has resulted in mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. The war in the two areas led to the banning of Sudan’s Peoples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and the arrest of over 600 persons. Most of these arrests were made by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). The 2010 National Security Act provides NISS powers to seize assets, arrest and detain people without judicial oversight.  In addition, the Government of Sudan continues its policy of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the expulsion of individuals working for international humanitarian non-government organizations (NGOs).

 

Among those still detained and ill-treated is Bushra Gamar, whose detention is related to the conflict in South Kordofan. Mr. Gamar, a human rights activist from South Kordofan, is being held by NISS since 25th June, 2011. Article 50 of the National Security Act allows for the NISS agents to arrest and detain people for up to 30 days without judicial review. The detention period can be extended for further 15 days by the director of NISS. Under article 50, the case can be referred to the National Security Council which can extend the detention period to three months. The total period of detention without judicial review can therefore be up to four and half months. Bushra has spent almost five month in prison without being brought before a judge or other officer authorized by the law to exercise judicial power. In the Blue Nile state SHRN received credible reports that tens of SPLA-N members were detained by NISS. Among those detained is the renowned writer and poet Abdel Moniem Rahma. Rahma who was arrested on September 2,2011 in Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile State, one day after the resumption of fighting between Sudanese Armed Forces and the forces of SPLA-North. Rahma formerly headed Sudana, an organization that promoted the work of marginalized art and literature group in Sudan. He was a member of the Sudanese Writers’ Union during the 1980s and headed the Arabic section of the Sudan Radio Service network in Nairobi between 2003-2005.He was also co-founder of the daily Ajras al Hurriya (Bells of Freedom). Rahma and other detainees held were subjected to torture, ill-treatment and abuse according to reports coming out of detention.

 

 

SHRN demands that the Government of Sudan, SPLM-N and other rebel groups to declare immediate cease-fire and end to hostilities.

 

SHRN urges the Government of Sudan to allow humanitarian agencies full access to provide services to the many victims of the conflict in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States.

 

SHRN urges the Government of Sudan to immediately cease all aerial bombardment in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

 

SHRN demand that the persecution of members affiliated with SPLA-N to stop immediately. All persons detained in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, must either be promptly charged and given fair trials, or be released. If continued to be held in detention, there should be assurances that they are being humanly treated, that they have immediate and regular access to their families, lawyer, and any necessary medical attention.

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