DOCSLIB.ORG

Violations of Articles 4 and 5

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Violations of Articles 4 and 5 ALTERNATIVE REPORT To Sudan’s Periodic Report Before the 43rd Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Swaziland, May 2008) Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………. ……… 2 The Situation in Relation to Articles 4 and 5………………………………………….……………...................... 3 The Situation in Relation to Article 6………………………………………………………………….………......... 9 The Situation in Relation to Articles 7 and 26……………………………………………………………………… 12 The Situation in Relation to Article 9………………………………………………………………………….......... 16 The Situation in Relation to Articles 10 and 13……………………………………………………………………. 23 The Situation in Relation to Article 11………………………………………………………………………………. 27 The Situation in Relation to Article 18………………………………………………………………………………. 28 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33 Glossary………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 35 SOAT is supported by and is a member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) SOAT, Alternative Report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, May 2008 1 Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Introduction Punishment (CAT), and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). As a signatory to Sudan ratified the African Charter on Human and these acts, Sudan is bound to refrain from acts which Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on 18 February 1986. The would defeat their object and purpose. Sudanese government is therefore obliged to respect and protect the internationally recognised human Three years after the signing of the CPA, very little rights contained therein. The Sudan Organisation has been done by the new Government of National Against Torture (SOAT) hereby presents an Unity (GoNU) to harmonise national legislation with alternative report to The Third Periodical Report of the INC and international human rights standards. the Republic of the Sudan due to be considered at rd Along with this lack of legislative reform, the human the 43 Ordinary Session of the African Commission rights situation across the country remains an issue on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) in Ezulwini, of serious concern. The authorities continue to Swaziland, from 7 to 22 May 2008. This report arbitrarily detain individuals for long periods, often reviews Sudan’s compliance with the ACHPR, article without charge and without access to lawyers, and by article, with a focus on the period from the torture and other forms of ill-treatment in custody beginning of 2006 to the present day. remain common. Those who are particularly vulnerable to such abuses include human rights Human Rights and the Comprehensive defenders, political opponents, students and Peace Agreement displaced persons. In the past few months the In January 2005 the signing of the Comprehensive Sudanese authorities, in particular the National Peace Agreement (CPA) by the Government of Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), have also Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation launched a harsh crackdown on the country’s media, Movement (SPLM) marked the end of a 22-year civil which has included daily pre-print censorship, war in the South that saw the displacement of over bureaucratic obstruction and arrests and summonses 4,000,000 people and destroyed the livelihoods of of journalists. While national elections scheduled for many thousands more. It was hoped that the CPA next year should mark a key milestone in Sudan’s would usher in a new era of peace and stability transition towards stability and democracy, this lack throughout the country and would be a turning point of respect for human rights represents a major in ending Sudan’s long history of human rights stumbling block. violations. The Conflict in Darfur The CPA made way for the adoption of a new Interim After three years of war and massive and widespread National Constitution (INC) on 9 July 2005. The INC violence and human rights abuses, the Darfur Peace includes a Bill of Rights, which contains a list of Agreement (DPA) was signed in Abuja in May 2006 constitutionally-guaranteed rights and freedoms and between the GoS and the faction of the Sudan also provides that “All rights and freedoms enshrined Liberation Army loyal to Mini Minnawi (SLA-Minnawi). in international human rights treaties, covenants and Other major rebel movements, the Justice and instruments ratified by the Republic of the Sudan Equality Movement (JEM) and another faction of the shall be an integral part of this Bill” (Article 27 (3)). SLA loyal to Abdel Wahed al-Nur (SLA-Abdel Hence, pursuant to Article 27 of the INC, the ACHPR Wahed), refused to sign the peace agreement. is binding and may be invoked as a constitutional text. Two years after the signing of the DPA, Darfur is yet to witness any significant move towards peace and Besides the ACHPR, Sudan is also a party to the the situation in the region remains critical. Peace International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights talks were convened in Sirte, Libya, at the end of (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, October 2007 and the GoS announced a unilateral Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the ceasefire. But rebels claimed this ceasefire was Rights of the Child (CRC) and both Optional immediately broken and the talks soon fell apart Protocols to it, the International Convention on the because of the refusal of key rebel groups to attend. Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the The Sudanese government has failed to disarm and Crime of Genocide, and the Slavery Convention of disband the Janjaweed militias and continues to rely 1926. Sudan is a high contracting party to the on them in the pursuance of its counterinsurgency in Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and acceded Darfur, though these militias have increasingly to the two Protocols Additional to the Geneva pursued their own agendas. The rebel groups have Conventions in 2006. splintered into an increasing number of factions, further complicating efforts to arrange meaningful The CPA also calls on Sudan to endeavour to ratify peace negotiations with the government. Ongoing other human rights treaties it has signed. These insecurity and banditry in Darfur has prevented the include the Convention Against Torture and Other delivery of aid to large parts of the region, with SOAT, Alternative Report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, May 2008 2 humanitarian convoys and personnel frequently ensuring peace and justice for the region’s civilian coming under attack. population. Against this fluid background, one constant has been The Situation in Relation to the large-scale human rights violations suffered by Darfur’s civilian population. January and February of Articles 4 and 5 this year saw a sharp escalation of violence in Western Darfur, with a series of attacks by Article 4 government forces and allied militias displacing tens Human beings are inviolable. Every human being of thousands of people, leaving homes looted and shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity burnt, many killed and women raped. Darfuri civil of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of society has been attacked by the Sudanese this right. authorities, with the aim of undermining social and political structures viewed as a threat. Tribal leaders Article 5 and other representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain vulnerable to abuses like Every individual shall have the right to the respect of arbitrary arrest and torture, and entire sections of IDP the dignity inherent in a human being and to the communities have been forcibly relocated. Meanwhile recognition of his legal status. All forms of exploitation the GoS has obstructed the full deployment of the and degradation of man, particularly slavery, slave new United Nations-African Union hybrid force trade, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading mandated to take over peacekeeping duties in Darfur punishment and treatment shall be prohibited. (UNAMID).1 Killings in Darfur History has taught Sudanese human rights victims During the period covered by this report Sudanese that today’s abuses are grounded in yesterday’s government forces and members of proxy militias impunity and that to break this vicious cycle have continued to target civilian settlements and IDP perpetrators must be brought to justice. However, the populations in Darfur, resulting in large numbers of GoS has taken no serious steps to address impunity civilian deaths. A United Nations (UN) report in for crimes committed in Darfur. In the face of massive December 2007 said that hundreds of civilians had and grave human rights abuses, only an extremely been killed by government forces and allied militias in unsatisfactory number of cases have been the region in the six months leading up to publication investigated and these have involved only low alone. Evidence suggests that the Sudanese ranking officials. In spite of Sudan’s clear inability to government has continued to ship weapons into prosecute those responsible for crimes in Darfur, the Darfur in violation of a UN arms embargo.2 At the government continues to refuse to cooperate with the same time, the Sudanese authorities have failed to ICC and hand over the two individuals wanted by the fulfil past commitments to disarm pro-government court in connection with the conflict. One of the ICC militias. suspects, Ahmad Harun, has even been allowed to stay on as State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Underlying the ongoing large-scale killing of civilians is thus responsible for the welfare of the victims of his in Darfur is an entrenched culture of impunity, with alleged crimes. Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and militia members committing crimes in the knowledge that under SOAT takes this opportunity to call on the African current conditions they are unlikely ever to face Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its justice. For more on the problem of impunity, see the 43rd Ordinary Session to effectively engage with, section of this report dealing with Articles 7 and 26 of guide and support the GoS in upholding its human the ACHPR.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Darfur Genocide
    Darfur genocide Berkeley Model United Nations Welcome Letter Hi everyone! Welcome to the Darfur Historical Crisis committee. My name is Laura Nguyen and I will be your head chair for BMUN 69. This committee will take place from roughly 2006 to 2010. Although we will all be in the same physical chamber, you can imagine that committee is an amalgamation of peace conferences, UN meetings, private Janjaweed or SLM meetings, etc. with the goal of preventing the Darfur Genocide and ending the War in Darfur. To be honest, I was initially wary of choosing the genocide in Darfur as this committee’s topic; people in Darfur. I also understood that in order for this to be educationally stimulating for you all, some characters who committed atrocious war crimes had to be included in debate. That being said, I chose to move on with this topic because I trust you are all responsible and intelligent, and that you will treat Darfur with respect. The War in Darfur and the ensuing genocide are grim reminders of the violence that is easily born from intolerance. Equally regrettable are the in Africa and the Middle East are woefully inadequate for what Darfur truly needs. I hope that understanding those failures and engaging with the ways we could’ve avoided them helps you all grow and become better leaders and thinkers. My best advice for you is to get familiar with the historical processes by which ethnic brave, be creative, and have fun! A little bit about me (she/her) — I’m currently a third-year at Cal majoring in Sociology and minoring in Data Science.
    [Show full text]
  • Periodic Report January 2014
    منظمة حقوق اﻻنسان والتنمية Human Rights and Development Organization (HUDO) South Kordufan / Nuba Mountains Monthly Report (January 2014) Introduction: In this month Sudan government become very much repressive by reinforcing all rejected Laws, for the first time it has reinforced the Armed Forces Law amended in June last year, this laws allows prosecution of civilians before military courts. It has also activated other laws of the Voluntary Work Act for the year 2006 which gives the Minister the right to do whatever suits him. Under these laws the minister suspended the activities of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), this move band more than 1.5 million people from the service of ICRC mostly in Darfur. Despite the crimes they committed in Darfur and their participation in the fighting in Southern Kordofan recently, the Janjaweed militias are now terrorizing civilians in Al Obeid before those who created them in Darfur and brought them to Kordofan. Security Situation: Sudanese authority continues air bombardment in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, Kauda area (SPLA control) has been aggressively bombarded during January this year. The security situation is worsening in Kordofan Al Obeid due to the presence of the Janjaweed after being chased from battle field in Southern Kordofan. Currently they are rapping women, looting civilians’ properties and attacking people on daily bases in Al Obeid. Political Development: The President’s recent statement which people had been optimistically awaiting for was very disappointing; it was expected to bring new changes in Sudanese politics but was sarcasm instead. Peace talks between Sudan Government and SPLM- N is due to resume in February with a hope of pushing the implementation of the previous agreements and opening the paths for relief to reach the war affected people in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile pending for the final and comprehensive settlement of the conflict.
    [Show full text]
  • Outreach Report 2010 Public Information and Documentation Section | Outreach Unit Foreword
    Outreach Report 2010 Public Information and Documentation Section | Outreach Unit Foreword This is the fourth Outreach Report published by my office since the Outreach Unit of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2007. It presents the work carried out from 1 October 2009 to 1 October 2010 by ICC Outreach Unit staff members at the seat of the Court in The Hague, and in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), and Kenya. It also includes the work of the Outreach Unit in Chad and other countries where large groups of Sudanese populations are currently residing. The report outlines many of the activities conducted during this period and the results achieved, as well as the contextual judicial and other factors influencing our work, challenges faced along the way, and the plans for going forward. The report is also a demonstration of the hard work and dedication of my staff, both at headquarters and in the field. They have contributed to further advance our plans ICC Registrar Silvana Arbia ©ICC-CPI/Max Koot to make justice meaningful among communities affected by the crimes in situations and cases brought before the Court. Over the past reporting period, the Registry has responded to a series of emerging challenges while maintaining its efforts to counter misconceptions, make proceedings accessible, and create realistic expectations of the Court’s work among affected communities. Our rapid response capacity was once again tested this year in explaining and clarifying certain judicial decisions. My office was able to deploy an interdisciplinary team in Kenya before Pre-Trial Chamber I decided to grant the Prosecutor approval to investigate alleged crimes committed in the territory of that country in relation with the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Selected Practice of the UN Security
    SELECTED PRACTISE OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL IN RELATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND THE ROME STATUTE SYSTEM (1998-2012) 3nd Update: 10 October 2012 Contents: 1. Highlights on the fight against impunity through referrals by the Security Council under Article 13 of the Rome Statute ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Côte d’Ivoire .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Darfur, Sudan ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Democratic Republic of the Congo .................................................................................................. 5 1.4 Gaza ................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Kenya ............................................................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Libya ................................................................................................................................................ 6 1.7 Mali .................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.8 Myanmar/Burma .............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • SCSL Press Clippings
    SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE PRESS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PRESS CLIPPINGS Enclosed are clippings of local and international press on the Special Court and related issues obtained by the Press and Public Affairs Office as at: Thursday, 3 May 2007 Press clips are produced Monday through Friday. Any omission, comment or suggestion, please contact Martin Royston-Wright Ext 7217 2 Local News Issa Sesay Commences His Defence Today / Awoko Page 3 AI Blasts Judiciary / For di People Page 4 International News Date of Taylor trial announced / Legalbrief Today Page 5 UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary / UNMIL Pages 6-8 ICC issues Darfur arrest warrants / BBC Pages 9-10 Warrants of Arrest for the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs of Sudan…/ ICC Pages 11-12 3 Awoko Thursday, 3 May 2007 4 For di People Thursday, 3 May 2007 5 Legalbrief Today Thursday, 3 May 2007 http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20070503082412777 Date of Taylor trial announced Published in: Legalbrief Today Date: Thu 03 May 2007 Category: Criminal Issue No: 1816 Acting Registrar Herman von Hebel, of the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, says former President Charles Taylor's war crimes trial is expected to start on June 4 at The Hague at the premises of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Although the ICC is to be used, he says in a report in the Concord Times, Taylor will remain within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the proceedings will conform with its own. ‘ Full Concord Times report 6 United Nations Nations Unies United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary 02 May 2007 [The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.] International Clips on Liberia Mano River Union Leaders End Meeting Monrovia, May 02, 2007 (Liberia Government/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --The Heads of the State of the Mano River Union Monday concluded their summit in Conakry, Guinea geared towards fostering peace and cooperation within the Union.
    [Show full text]
  • Spotlight on Sudan
    REGIONAL PROGRAM POLITICAL DIALOGUE SOUTH MEDITERRANEAN FOREWORD At the crossroads between Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Sudan is keeping pace with the political developments of the entire region. Yet, little studied, the country is not very visible to research institutions and think tanks due to difficult access to information. The recent developments that have brought Sudan to the forefront have also highlighted the extent to which this country of 42 million inhabitants has its destiny linked to the countries on the southern Mediterranean. Indeed, from the sending of Sudanese militiamen to Libya to the discussions on normalization with Israel through the numerous transactions with the Egyptian neighbor, Sudan is a country that impacts the southern Mediterranean in a deep and constant way. Furthermore, in addition to the internal ongoing conflicts, Sudan has found itself in the middle of the Nile river dispute between Ethiopia and its north African neighbor Egypt. Faced with this, and following a common reflection, the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung decided to open its geographical scope to Sudan and develop more knowledge about this country through various events and programs. SPOTLIGHT ON SUDAN In this sense, our regional program elaborated this study striving to highlight the recent developments in Sudan, its impact on the country’s neighbors and the geopolitical situation. Thomas Volk Director Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean
    [Show full text]
  • Sudan: Justice, Peace and the Icc
    SUDAN: JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE ICC Africa Report N°152 – 17 July 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 II. DARFUR AND THE ICC................................................................................................. 2 A. THE CRIMES COMMITTED IN DARFUR ..........................................................................................3 B. INTERNATIONAL REACTION .........................................................................................................5 III. REACTIONS TO THE APPLICATION FOR BASHIR’S ARREST ......................... 7 A. DIVISIONS WITHIN THE NCP AND THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT .......................................................8 B. THE NCP ARGUMENT AGAINST ICC JURISDICTION ...................................................................10 C. A FAILED POLITICAL RESPONSE ................................................................................................12 D. THE NCP AND ARTICLE 16........................................................................................................15 1. Mobilisation of regional support................................................................................................15 2. Negotiations with the P5............................................................................................................16 IV. AFTER BASHIR’S INDICTMENT .............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Government Attacks on Civilians in West Darfur in February 2008
    Sudan HUMAN “They Shot at Us as We Fled” RIGHTS Government Attacks on Civilians in West Darfur WATCH “They Shot at Us as We Fled” Government Attacks on Civilians in West Darfur Copyright © 2008 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 1-56432-320-X Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA Tel: +1 212 290 4700, Fax: +1 212 736 1300 [email protected] Poststraße 4-5 10178 Berlin, Germany Tel: +49 30 2593 06-10, Fax: +49 30 2593 0629 [email protected] Avenue des Gaulois, 7 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: + 32 (2) 732 2009, Fax: + 32 (2) 732 0471 [email protected] 64-66 Rue de Lausanne 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 738 0481, Fax: +41 22 738 1791 [email protected] 2-12 Pentonville Road, 2nd Floor London N1 9HF, UK Tel: +44 20 7713 1995, Fax: +44 20 7713 1800 [email protected] 27 Rue de Lisbonne 75008 Paris, France Tel: +33 (1)43 59 55 35, Fax: +33 (1) 43 59 55 22 [email protected] 1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel: +1 202 612 4321, Fax: +1 202 612 4333 [email protected] Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org May 2008 1-56432-320-X “They Shot at Us as We Fled” Government Attacks on Civilians in West Darfur in February 2008 Map of Northern West Darfur.................................................................................... 1 I. Summary...............................................................................................................2 II. Recommendations .............................................................................................. 6 To the Sudanese government............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Changing Politics of Justice at the International Criminal Court
    PRIF Report No. 127 Growing Up Rough: The Changing Politics of Justice at the International Criminal Court Caroline Fehl the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) 2014 Correspondence to: PRIF (HSFK) Baseler Straße 27-31 60329 Frankfurt am Main Germany Telephone: +49(0)69 95 91 04-0 Fax: +49(0)69 55 84 81 E-mail: [email protected] ISBN 978-3-942532-76-1 Euro 10,-- Summary The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established at The Hague in 2002 with a mandate to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. The ICC operates as a court of “last resort” that becomes active only when national governments are unwilling or unable to prosecute relevant crimes. Its jurisdiction is subject to various conditions, and can be triggered by the referral of a “situation” to the Court by the UN Security Council, by a state party referral, or through a proprio motu investigation initiated by the ICC Prosecutor. Since taking up its work in 2002, the ICC has investigated nine situations, held six trials of individuals and handed down two convictions. In addition, it has conducted 12 preliminary examinations that have not resulted in the opening of official investigations. All investigations and trials to date have focused on African countries. From its inception, the ICC has been a highly contested institution-building project. Already the negotiations about its statute were marked by heated controversies among participating states. Following the statute’s entry into force, political debates have continued to surround the Court’s relationship with member and non-member states as well as its investigations, arrest warrants and trials have continued to be the subject of political debates.
    [Show full text]
  • S/PV.6778 Security Council Provisional Asdfsixty-Seventh Year 6778Th Meeting Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 10 A.M
    United Nations S/PV.6778 Security Council Provisional asdfSixty-seventh year 6778th meeting Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 10 a.m. New York President: Mr. Li Baodong ....................................... (China) Members: Azerbaijan ........................................... Mr. Mehdiyev Colombia ............................................ Mr. Osorio France ............................................... Mr. Briens Germany ............................................. Mr. Wittig Guatemala ........................................... Mr. Rosenthal India ................................................ Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri Morocco ............................................. Mr. Bouchaara Pakistan ............................................. Mr. Tarar Portugal ............................................. Mr. Cabral Russian Federation ..................................... Mr. Karev South Africa . Mr. Mashabane Togo ................................................ Mr. Menan United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ........ Mr. McKell United States of America ................................ Mr. DeLaurentis Agenda Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr
    UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/7/NGO/55 25 February 2008 ENGLISH ONLY HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Seventh session Agenda item 4 HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE COUNCIL’S ATTENTION Written statement* submitted by Society for Threatened Peoples, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. [20 February 2008] • This written statement is issued, unedited, in the language(s) received from the submitting non-governmental organization(s). GE.08-10914 A/HRC/7/NGO/55 page 2 Sudan No end to impunity for crimes against humanity in Darfur The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, urged the international community on September 20, 2007 to ensure that Sudan turns over two Darfur war crimes suspects. “World leaders must understand that if the justice component process is ignored crimes will continue and affect the humanitarian and security operation in Darfur”, declared Moreno-Ocampo. On April 27, 2007 the ICC had issued arrest warrants for Ahmed Haroun, the deputy Interior Minister of Sudan in 2003 and 2004, and the Janjaweed-Commander Ali Kushayb for 51 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. But no concrete action of the Sudanese authorities followed. In September 2007 the Government appointed the then State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun despite the arrest warrants to co-chair a committee which should analyze the human rights situation in western Sudan. Haroun still has not been transferred to The Hague to face criminal investigation by the ICC.
    [Show full text]
  • Briefing on Torture in Sudan[1]
    Briefing paper (Post)-Covid19 era in Sudan: The urgency to unravel the torture and inhuman treatments system one year after the Transition The Covid-19 crisis is appearing in many African countries, including Sudan, as a revealing crisis which calls particular attention to the preexisting and worrying situation, mainly in the prison system marred by overcrowding, insufficient and inadequate sanitation and the lack of resources. In Sudan, torture and inhuman treatments have been used as a governing tool and prisons as dying houses for political activists and civil society organisation leaders. This briefing identifies priorities for torture and reform in Sudan by the transitional government including law reform, accountability, rehabilitation and compensation of torture victims. It also critically looks at the measures adopted to prevent the propagation of Covid-19 in detention facilities and the capacity of authorities to protect the health of detainees. July 2020 1 Table of Contents 1. Overview of Torture and ill-treatments in Sudan ............................................................. 3 2. Dismantling the torturous legal and institutional framework: low-hanging fruit? ............ 4 a. Repealing torture laws: reassuring little steps especially for women ......................................... 4 b. National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and the end of an ogre? ................................ 5 3. Keeping the legal roots of torture in Sudan: driving the changes with the handbrake? .... 6 a. Persisting legal structure
    [Show full text]