Sudanese lawyers file ‘abuse of power’ case for slain teacher

Lawyers have formed a team to present the charges in the case of teacher Ahmed El Kheir who was tortured to death in detention of the security apparatus, considering the method of killing him as an abuse of power.

The group of lawyers announced that they are headed by former attorney-general Omar Abdelati. In a press conference yesterday, Abdelati called the method of killing El Kheir “ugly” and considered it as “abuse of power”.

He said that the team strives to achieve retribution. “The issue must be a precedent […] no one shall escape punishment regardless of his position or the position of the ones behind them.”

Abdelate stressed the equality of people under the Sudanese law.

Prosecutions against Sudan’s armed and security forces and government officials are made difficult by the broad immunities granted to them, which cover acts performed in the line of duty.

A 2010 National Security Act (NSA) article provides National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) officials with impunity for acts associated with their official duties, unless upon the approval of the NISS director. Abuses by security forces are generally not investigated, according to human rights reports by the United States Department of State report and Human Rights Watch.

Ahmed El Kheir

Ahmed El Kheir was a teacher from Khashm El Girba in Kassala who was held after demonstrations in the town on January 31. Reports emerged that National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) officers had detained him from his home and taken him to a security detention centre where they brutally tortured him. Following his death, the authorities in Kassala said that the teacher had felt sick during interrogation. Investigators found marks on the body which show that El Kheir was tortured and that the fatal complications led to his death, in detention of the security service.

The death of the teacher formed a major theme of the current protests and demonstrations in the previous week. Starting 7 February, marches took place as part of the March for the Detainees and Victims of Torture and vigils called for by the Sudanese Professionals Assocation.

Related:

'Laws, impunity in Sudan foster sexual violence': International organisations (June 20, 2016)