Arbitrary Arrests and Intimidation Surge Across Sudan

Strategic Insights -

Violent arrests and intimidation of volunteers, aid workers, lawyers, and journalists are on the rise in Sudan, said human rights activists and resistance committees. The security forces have intensified detentions of civil society actors in Wad Madani, El Managil, and other areas. Lawyer Noon Kashosh warned that Sudan is returning to a "repressive security state," with the repeated arrest of volunteer Mohammed Azhari without charges being the most alarming example. The legal process is described as opaque and abusive, with detainees held without access to lawyers or the courts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Arbitrary arrests and intimidation are escalating across Sudan, targeting volunteers, aid workers, lawyers, and journalists.
  • Lawyer Noon Kashosh from the El Gezira Observatory for Human Rights warned of a return to the "repressive security state," citing the repeated arrest of volunteer Mohammed Azhari without charges.
  • Detainees are being held without access to lawyers or the courts, and the legal process is described as opaque and abusive.
  • Resistance committees have condemned the arrest of journalists Nasr Yagoub and Mohamed Ahmed Nizar in El Fasher, North Darfur.
  • The Transitional Council has denied wrongdoing, claiming Yagoub provoked the officer and accusing the journalists of spreading misinformation and undermining national security.
  • The incident has been described as "media incitement from paid pens" by the Transitional Council, who warned of legal action against the journalists.
  • The El Fasher's Resistance Committees have rejected the arrests as unlawful and demanded the immediate release of the journalists.

Statistics:

  • According to lawyer Noon Kashosh, there have been repeated arrests of volunteers and aid workers without charges.
  • The number of detainees held without access to lawyers or the courts is unknown, but Kashosh described the legal process as opaque and abusive.
  • The arrests of politicians and journalists in Sudan are on the rise, with the number of detention centers increasing in recent months.

Sources:

  • "Arbitrary Arrests and Enforced Disappearances Raise Alarms Across Sudan," Radio Dabanga, October 5, 2024
  • "ACJPS Enforced Disappearances in Sudan Systematic and Escalating," Radio Dabanga, April 10, 2024
  • "Sudanese Embassy Accused of Unlawful Arrest of Activist Tupac in Libya," Radio Dabanga, March 5, 2024
  • "Sudan War Turns Journalism Deadly Amid Killings, Arrests, Threats," Radio Dabanga, February 15, 2024