Stop Human Rights Violations in Sudan

Mr. Prewsident:
We the undersigned  members of Sudanese-American none-governmental organizations, political parties and independents living in the US, are writing to express our deep concern regarding the human rights violations that are being committed against political dissidents and activists by the Government of Sudan. Feeling that the attention of the world has shifted towards other countries such as Libya, Yemen and Syria, the government of Sudan decided to be more oppressive and intimidating towards any opposition. 

The national government failed to enact institutional and legal reforms, which are required by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The national legal framework continues to allow censorship of the press and restrictions on freedom of assembly and political expression. The new National Security Act, passed in January, retains broad powers of arrest and detention for up to four-and-a-half months, in violation of international treaties to which Sudan is a party and legal immunities for security forces remain in place.

Dr. Omer Ahmad Algarrai, an outspoken activist who has been critical of the government wrong policies and injustice, along with other activists and journalists such as Faisal Mohammad Salih, wrote articles in the daily newspapers denouncing the rape of a young female activist and demanding the accountability of the security forces. Both Dr. Algarrai and Mr. Salih were issued summons to appear before a court of law for defaming the government and security apparatus. The alarming fact about this notice was that it did not mention any specific charge with which those two individuals were going to be tried and that negates the rule of law and natural justice.

These state of affairs confirmed the intention of the Sudanese government, which was stated by President al-Bashir when he declared: "There will be no question of cultural or ethnic diversity. Sharia shall be the only source of the constitution and Arabic the only official language. Sharia has always stipulated that one must whip, cut or kill", he explained, which clearly translates to more oppression and suppression of any opposition to his government policies. These trials are therefore nothing more than manifestations of the government intentions.

It is the moral imperative of the international community to demand the immediate end of the brutality in Sudan, and that the human rights of all citizens, particularly those involved in political activity, are respected without conditions.

We appeal to you to do whatever is in your capacity to exert pressure on the government of Sudan to stop the trials of the political activists and journalists and observe the rule of law, basic freedoms, and stop its security forces campaign against dissidents.

Many thanks and best regards.

Sudanese American Society Monterey
Democratic Unionist Party - USA

Sudanese Journalists Union - USA

Sudan Action Forum - California