Country: Sudan

The human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan remains of concern particularly with regards to the lack of accountability of state security forces for past and current abuses.

In January 2015, an amendment to the Interim National Constitution passed by the Sudanese Parliament extended the mandate of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) by giving them sweeping powers to protect national security. Domestic legislation provides immunity from prosecution to members of the NISS, police and the armed forces, paving the way for a climate of total impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations in the country.

Journalists, human rights defenders, peaceful protesters and members of the opposition are often subjected to abductions by state forces followed by enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention as well as torture and ill-treatment in detention. Excessive force is regularly used to disperse peaceful demonstrations across the country, which frequently results in the death and injury of protesters, as seen during the crackdown on anti-austerity protests in early 2018.

In the regions of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where a situation of conflict persists, violations to human rights and humanitarian law are of particular concern, especially the use of violence against civilians as well as severe restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms as well as access to humanitarian assistance.

Student Omar Idriss violently beaten by security and armed forces in the context of peaceful demonstrations in Sudan

On December 23, 2018, Omar Idriss was on his way home from a barbershop located close to where a peaceful protest was being held, when members of the security and armed forces stopped him and ordered him to get into a military pickup truck. The officers refused to provide him with any information when he […]

Student Fayad Abdallah arrested during peaceful demonstration in Khartoum

On December 25, 2018, Fayad Abdallah was arrested by members of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) while he was taking part in a peaceful protest in Khartoum. Following the arrest, Abdallah was first brought to the headquarters of the NISS in Khartoum, where he stayed for three hours, before being moved to other […]

Student Abo Zar Youssef arbitrarily executed by Sudanese security forces

On December 20, 2018, Abo Zar Youssef was leaving his grandfather’s house in Al Qadarif when he was shot in his head by members of the NISS, who were wearing balaclavas. Youssef was brought to hospital immediately, and transferred to Fedail Hospital in Khartoum on December 21, where he stayed for four days in intensive […]

Peaceful protester Salih Osman arbitrarily executed by Sudanese security forces

On January 9, 2019, Salih Osman took part in a peaceful demonstration in the Banat Sharq neighbourhood of Omdurman. The protest was patrolled by members of the NISS, who followed protesters in unmarked military vehicles and indiscriminately shot live ammunition and tear gas into the crowd to disperse the protesters. Around 4 p.m., Osman was […]

School teacher Ahmed Al Khir dies in detention after being tortured by Sudanese security forces

On January 31, 2019, Ahmed Al Khir was arrested by the NISS during a peaceful protest in Khashm El Qirba, Kassala. The NISS did not provide any warrant nor any reason for his arrest. After the arrest, they brought him to the NISS detention centre in Khashm El Qirba, where he was subjected to torture […]

Student Mahgoub Eltag Mahgoub Ibrahim arbitrarily executed by Sudanese security forces during peaceful protest at university campus

On January 24, 2019, Mahgoub Ibrahim took part in a peaceful protest at the University of Alrazi campus in Khartoum. The NISS was deployed to disperse the demonstration, and expelled Ibrahim along with other demonstrating students from the university buildings. Members of the NISS placed at the entrance of the university started to violently beat […]

Sudan protests three months on: authorities continue brutal crackdown on protesters

In past three months, excessive use of force and firearms has resulted in killing and injury of numerous protesters, while many others have been forcibly disappeared and arbitrarily detained, with the security forces acting with total impunity.

Student Mohamed Abdelkarim subjected to psychological torture after being arrested during peaceful protest in Khartoum

On December 25, 2018, Mohamed Abdelkarim was taking part in a peaceful protest in Khartoum when members of the security forces stopped him, violently beaten him and threatened to shoot him. The officers wore uniforms and drove vehicles typically attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite the fact that Abdelkarim informed the officers that […]

Peaceful protester Omar Mahmoud arrested, beaten, subjected to torture during peaceful demonstration in Khartoum

On December 25, 2018, Omar Mahmoud was taking part in a peaceful protest in Khartoum, Sudan, when members of the security forces stopped him and violently beat him. The officers wore uniforms and drove vehicles typically attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Mahmoud was arrested and brought to a building belonging to the National […]

Doctor Babiker Abdelhameed Salama arbitrarily executed by Sudanese security services while treating wounded protesters

On January 17, 2019, Babiker Salama was providing medical assistance to wounded protesters inside a house located near a peaceful demonstration in the Burri neighbourhood of Khartoum. Due to the severity of some of the injuries he was treating, Salama decided to leave the house by himself and approach the members of the NISS with […]