The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) is deeply concerned by the events unfolding in the Republic of The Sudan.
The Commission recalls its: Statement of 11 February 2019 on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of The Sudan; Resolution ACHPR/Res. 413 (EXT.OS/XXV) 2019 on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of The Sudan, adopted during its 25th Extra-Ordinary Session, held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 19 February to 5 March 2019; and Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of The Sudan, adopted during its 64th Ordinary Session, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 24 April to 14 May 2019.
The Commission also notes Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXL) issued by the Peace and Security Council of the AU on 15 April 2019, Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXLVI) on 30 April 2019, and Communique PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXLII) on 27 May 2019, on the situation in the Republic of The Sudan.
The Commission further notes the Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 11 April 2019, as well as the Statement of 1 May 2019 on the situation in the Republic of The Sudan.
The Commission expresses its dismay at the recent killings of unarmed peaceful protestors by security forces in Khartoum, resulting in the deaths of up to 100 people and injuries to hundreds more.
The Commission:
- categorically rejects the use of force, and particularly the use of live ammunition against protestors;
- reiterates the principles on the policing of assemblies enshrined in the Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa and General Comment No. 3 on the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Right to Life;
- urges authorities to carry out impartial, prompt and effective investigations into the circumstances that led to the killings and injuries to protestors, and bring perpetrators to justice;
- calls on authorities to ensure that victims and their families obtain full redress; and
- urges authorities to take all necessary measures to uphold the Sudanese peoples’ fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, the right to political participation, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
The Commission encourages Sudanese stakeholders to resume constructive dialogue to ensure the setting up of the Civilian-led Transitional Authority, without delay, and refrain from any form of incitement and acts of violence.
The Commission further calls on all parties to comply with the rights and duties enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which the Republic of The Sudan is a party to.
The Commission will remain actively seized of this matter.
