Human Rights Defenders in Sudan Face Systematic Targeting Amid Escalating War
In a new report released today, the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor (SHRM) reveals an escalation in violations against human rights defenders, both men and women, across Sudan since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023
The report, titled “Defenders Without Protection: A Report from the Heart of War in Sudan” documents widespread patterns of violations against defenders, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, physical and psychological torture, and digital targeting. SHRM confirmed that these violations are carried out systematically, with the complicity of those in power in conflict zones
The report highlighted several cases, including the killing of lawyer Salah al-Din al-Tayeb Musa under torture in an illegal detention centre in Al-Jazeera State, and the arrest of Sheikh Abdel Raziq Suleiman after speaking publicly about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur. It also noted that dozens of activists were subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention without formal charges, in flagrant violation of national laws and international standards.
SHRM’s field research revealed that both SAF and RSF used multiple repressive measures against human rights defenders, including arbitrary arrests, torture, filing malicious reports, and the arbitrary application of emergency laws
The report confirmed that the war has brought about a near-total collapse of the operating environment for human rights organizations, marked by continuous power and internet outages, the destruction of nearly all organizational headquarters in Khartoum, and widespread looting of their property. This impacted significantly on documentation and monitoring activities, which turned into high risk and at times life-threatening activities. Many human rights defenders were forced to flee their areas of residence, either to less dangerous areas within Sudan or abroad, resulting in local communities losing a significant portion of their human rights support
Despite these challenges, the report noted that some defenders have resorted to alternative resistance strategies, some of which have proven effective.
The report concluded with recommendations calling on all parties to the war to immediately cease targeting human rights defenders and guarantee the freedom to carry out human rights work without restrictions. It also called for the Independent UN Human Rights Council’s – mandated Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan (FFM) to be allowed access to Sudanese territories to investigate all human rights’ violations since the outbreak of the war, particularly those sustained by human rights’ defenders
Moreover, SHRM recommended the activation of international and regional accountability mechanisms, including the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
