Sudan security detains more than 50 Khartoum activists

In an attempt by the Sudanese authorities to prevent commemoration ceremonies for the victims of the 2013 September protests in Khartoum, security forces have detained more than 50 civil society activists and opposition leaders. International organisations have called upon the UN Human Rights Council, in its 27th session this month, to condemn the killings of September last year, and press Sudan to independently investigate the violence. Today is exactly one year ago since security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Sudan, who went to the streets in protest against the lifting of fuel subsidies. According to the Sudanese opposition forces, more than 200 demonstrators in Khartoum died of bullet wounds to their heads and chests. Activists said at the time that hundreds were injured, and about 2,000 protesters were detained. ‘More than 50 detained’ Speaking to Radio Dabanga late on Tuesday afternoon, a member of the Sudanese Committee of Solidarity with the Victims of the September Demonstrations, reported that the number of civil society and political activists detained since Saturday reached 51.   Siddig Yousef, chairman of the Solidarity Committee, reported earlier today that government forces detained a number of Sudanese Communist Party cadres, among them Mirghani Ata El Manan and Faiza Nugdallah. Security agents raided a number of homes. Other houses are under surveillance. “Already on Saturday evening, Moataz Saeed, Khaled El Tom, Igbal Abdallah, and Mohamed Abdel Monim were detained, when they were carrying posters and pamphlets from a printing house in Khartoum to the vehicle of Abdel Monim. The vehicle was confiscated too.” Yousef added that since Sunday at least 30 young activists were detained. He stressed that “the intimidation will not discourage us to hold the commemoration ceremonies in all parts of Khartoum”. Sudanese Congress Party The spokesman for the Sudanese Congress Party, Abubakar Yousef, told Radio Dabanga today that security forces are still persecuting party members, “even inside their homes”. “Seven SCP cadres were detained until now.” “On Monday Mohamed Alim Bushi and Majdi Okasha were detained inside their home in Khartoum. On Sunday, Khaled Saad and Azhari El Haj were held for a short period. They were interrogated about the standpoint of the party about the victims of the 2013 September demonstrations.” The SCP spokesman also said that the raids and detentions will not deter the party members from “playing our role in the commemoration”. “We will organise commemoration ceremonies in various districts in the capital this week.” ‘UNHRC to press Sudan for investigations’ Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a press release published online today that after one year, the victims of the September protests are still waiting for justice. “The UN should make clear to Sudan that unless it acts immediately to bring justice for the 2013 killings, regional or international investigators need to take over the job,” Daniel Beleke, the HRW Africa Director, stated. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), currently convening its 27th session in Geneva, Switzerland, should condemn the killing of protesters, and press the Sudanese government to support an independent investigation into this violence, and prosecute those responsible, HRW stressed. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies also demanded from the Council to take a strong position on the violence, and condemn Sudan. “Impunity cannot be accepted,” Katherine Perks, Programme Director, stated on Monday. File photo: Protesters in Khartoum, 24 September 2013 Related: Opposition memos to UN HRs Council, new Sudan security detentions (22 September 2014) Sudan security threatens families of protest victims (21 September 2014)