Sudan army officers intimidate complainant in Blue Nile state

On November 6, two members of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) held Muntasir Ali when he was on his way to attend a court session in Ed Damazin, capital of Blue Nile state.

Ali was detained to prevent him to attend a court session against an army soldier, Sudanese human rights watchdog HUDO reported on Friday.

On October 25, army officers confiscated Ali’s commercial vehicle in Sinja Nabak village in Blue Nile state, after he had reported an assault by an SAF member at the police. They repeatedly told him the vehicle would be returned if he would withdraw his complaint against the soldier. Yet, Ali insisted to demand his rights in a court case.

On the day of the court session, two SAF members and a policeman intercepted him. He was transferred to Medina-10, more than 50 km south of Ed Damazin, where he was held until midnight. The next day, Ali returned to Ed Damazin, where he was informed that the court session had been adjourned to November 17.

HUDO expressed its concern about the safety of people and the protection of their rights in conflict areas such as Blue Nile state, and called on the authorities “to immediately take action against the army commandant at Sinja Nabak, return Ali’s vehicle, and compensate the driver”.

The organisation also urges the Sudanese government to end the State of Emergency in the region “which allows the armed forces to act as they like”.

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