International Troika ‘deeply concerned’ by Sudan govt response to protests

The Troika (the UK, Norway and the USA) and Canada, have issued a joint statement including the warning that “the government of Sudan’s actions and decisions over the coming weeks will have an impact on the engagement of our governments and others in the coming months and years.”

In the statement issued yesterday, the troika urges the government of Sudan “to respond to the current challenges by implementing the necessary political reforms, to allow the Sudanese people to exercise their constitutional rights to peacefully express their political, economic and social views freely and without any fear of retaliation or persecution.”

The Troika countries “continue to be deeply concerned about the government of Sudan’s response to the recent protests in Sudan, and the detention without charge or trial of a number of political activists and protesters. Our countries emphasise the right of the Sudanese people to protest peacefully and in accordance with the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression guaranteed under Sudanese and international human rights law.

Legitimate right to protest

“We are appalled by reports of deaths and serious injury to those exercising their legitimate right to protest, as well as reports of the use of live ammunition against protesters. We urge the government of Sudan to ensure that a fully transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of protesters takes place as soon as possible, and that those responsible are held to account.

“Furthermore, our countries call upon the government of Sudan immediately to release all journalists, political opposition leaders, human rights activists, and other protesters currently in detention without charge or trial, and to allow those facing charges full access to legal representation.

“The government of Sudan’s actions and decisions over the coming weeks will have an impact on the engagement of our governments and others in the coming months and years. We urge the government of Sudan to respond to the current challenges by implementing the necessary political reforms, to allow the Sudanese people to exercise their constitutional rights to peacefully express their political, economic and social views freely and without any fear of retaliation or persecution,” the new joint statement concludes.

Restraint

In an earlier statement following the start of the mass protests in December, the Troika expressed “concern about the violence occurring during recent protests in Sudan, including credible reports of the use of live fire by the government of Sudan and of multiple deaths during several protests.”