SUDAN DEMANDS FREEDOM - BUT NO ONE IS LISTENING • During late September thousands took to the streets throughout Sudan • 210 were killed by the Sudanese security forces; 500 injured and 800 detained What caused the protests? In September President Al Bashir of Sudan ended fuel subsidies, leading to massive price hikes and thousands taking to the streets. However, Sudanese activists say long-standing demands for economic and political reform also precipitated calls for regime change. Since the secession of the South, Sudan has lost 75% of its oil revenues, and the government has failed to diversify the economy or invest in infrastructure. The US special envoy, Donald Booth, points out the regime spends as much fighting insurgency as it would save cancelling fuel subsidies. Its the drop of water that has made the cup spill over, said Awad Mohamed Awad of al-Jareeda, an outspoken Sudanese newspaper. Who protested? Previously, protesters have been students and activists in Khartoum. This time, people from across the country and from all backgrounds took to the streets. Their chants about prices were soon replaced by calls for regime change. The protests were unprecedented in scale, but also for the regime’s brutal response. What happened? Demonstrations began in Sudan’s second largest city, Wad Medani, but quickly spread to Khartoum and many other cities. As crowds gathered, troops from Sudan’s notoriously brutal National Intelligence Service arrived in pick-up trucks, pointing their mounted machine guns at the crowds. They fired live ammunition and tear gas at peaceful protesters. “They shot us like mice” one activist said. The killing of a young pharmacist in an upmarket area confirmed that the protests were universal, and that NISS was undiscriminating in its response. The government rapidly shut down the internet and censored newspapers. It is estimated that 800 people were arrested, including a British citizen, who has since been released. Doctors reported that at least 210 were killed, with most bullets found in head and chests. What next? Government officials inflamed people’s anger, claiming the Sudanese have enjoyed the benefits of oil with luxuries like pizza and hot dogs introduced into their diet. One activist, commenting on the government’s reputation for corruption and cronyism, said, “The people are boiling with anger”. Although protests have dwindled, many believe that the current political status quo cannot last much longer. The international response Despite the violent crackdown, the protests barely featured in the international media. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, did not raise Sudan’s “shoot to kill policy” when meeting its Foreign Minister. However, UK Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, was quick to condemn Sudan’s brutality. What can HMG do? Press for the immediate release of civil society leaders, activists, journalists and civilians who were detained Demand a full and impartial investigation of human rights abuses and the disproportionate response from NISS Special Forces and Central Reserve Police Renew calls for fundamental constitutional reform in Sudan, independent judiciary, enforceable rights enshrined in the constitution. SUDAN DEMANDS FREEDOM - BUT NO ONE IS LISTENING • During late September thousands took to the streets throughout Sudan • 210 were killed by the Sudanese security forces; 500 injured and 800 detained What caused the protests? In September President Al Bashir of Sudan ended fuel subsidies, leading to massive price hikes and thousands taking to the streets. However, Sudanese activists say long-standing demands for economic and political reform also precipitated calls for regime change. Since the secession of the South, Sudan has lost 75% of its oil revenues, and the government has failed to diversify the economy or invest in infrastructure. The US special envoy, Donald Booth, points out the regime spends as much fighting insurgency as it would save cancelling fuel subsidies. Its the drop of water that has made the cup spill over, said Awad Mohamed Awad of al-Jareeda, an outspoken Sudanese newspaper. Who protested? Previously, protesters have been students and activists in Khartoum. This time, people from across the country and from all backgrounds took to the streets. Their chants about prices were soon replaced by calls for regime change. The protests were unprecedented in scale, but also for the regime’s brutal response. What happened? Demonstrations began in Sudan’s second largest city, Wad Medani, but quickly spread to Khartoum and many other cities. As crowds gathered, troops from Sudan’s notoriously brutal National Intelligence Service arrived in pick-up trucks, pointing their mounted machine guns at the crowds. They fired live ammunition and tear gas at peaceful protesters. “They shot us like mice” one activist said. The killing of a young pharmacist in an upmarket area confirmed that the protests were universal, and that NISS was undiscriminating in its response. The government rapidly shut down the internet and censored newspapers. It is estimated that 800 people were arrested, including a British citizen, who has since been released. Doctors reported that at least 210 were killed, with most bullets found in head and chests. What next? Government officials inflamed people’s anger, claiming the Sudanese have enjoyed the benefits of oil with luxuries like pizza and hot dogs introduced into their diet. One activist, commenting on the government’s reputation for corruption and cronyism, said, “The people are boiling with anger”. Although protests have dwindled, many believe that the current political status quo cannot last much longer. The international response Despite the violent crackdown, the protests barely featured in the international media. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, did not raise Sudan’s “shoot to kill policy” when meeting its Foreign Minister. However, UK Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, was quick to condemn Sudan’s brutality. What can HMG do? Press for the immediate release of civil society leaders, activists, journalists and civilians who were detained Demand a full and impartial investigation of human rights abuses and the disproportionate response from NISS Special Forces and Central Reserve Police Renew calls for fundamental constitutional reform in Sudan, independent judiciary, enforceable rights enshrined in the constitution.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 10:06:07 +0000
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