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.