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A Return to Business as Usual in Sudan?

It’s vital that the international community not abandon Sudan at this critical juncture

Over the past three weeks, despite an internet shutdown and disruptions in mobile and text based communications, protesters in Sudan have found ways for their chants challenging the military’s Oct. 25 takeover to echo around…
آلاف المتظاهرين المؤيدين للديمقراطية نزلوا إلى الشوارع لإدانة استيلاء العسكر على الحكم في الخرطوم، السودان في 25 أكتوبر/تشرين الأول 2021.
News

Sudan: Security Forces Use Lethal Force on Protesters

At least 16 Killed in the Worst Day of Ongoing Crackdown

(Nairobi) – Security forces have repeatedly used excessive force, including lethal force, against demonstrators in and around Khartoum, Human Rights said today. Sixteen people were shot dead on November 17, 2021, alone, including a woman and a child,…
Men run towards an armored police vehicle
News

Sudan is Backsliding Dangerously

Since the October 25 military takeover, violent repression has returned in full force. Can the international community support the rule of law?

In September, I sat down in Khartoum with the mother of a medical student killed by security forces during Sudan’s 2018-2019 protests. “The reason why I wake up every day is that I have a little hope that I can find justice for my son,” she confided. “…
Pro-democracy protesters flash the victory sign as they take to the streets to condemn a takeover by military officials, in Khartoum, Sudan, October 25, 2021.
News

Evicted from Their Office, Al Jazeera Works from a Front Yard in Tunisia

Authorities Arbitrarily Target Media and Critics

I first met Lotfi Hajji some 15 years ago, after Tunisian authorities under President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali had refused a request by Al Jazeera, the Qatar-funded pan-Arab television station, to accredit the Tunisian journalist as their local…
Al Jazeera correspondent Lotfi Hajji reporting from Tunis after Tunisian authorities evicted the pan-Arab television network from its offices, November 5, 2021. 
News

Sudan: Immediately Free Detainees; Halt Arrests

Some Officials Freed, but New Detentions and Others Still Held

(Nairobi) – Sudanese security authorities should immediately release people arbitrarily detained since the military takeover on October 25, 2021, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. Security authorities should also cease further…
Sudanese security forces deployed during a protest in Khartoum, Sudan on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.
News

UN Rights Body Should Reinstate Scrutiny on Sudan

HRW Statement at the 32nd Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Madam President, Recent events in Sudan have highlighted the fragile nature of the transition, and the extent to which it was premature for the Human Rights Council at its recent session to allow scrutiny of Sudan to lapse. Within weeks, on…
A crowd of protesters in the street
News

Support Special Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Sudan

Open letter to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Dear Excellencies, dear colleagues, We are writing to urge you to support a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to address the human rights situation in Sudan, and to create a mechanism, such as a fact-finding mission, to monitor and report…
News

Sudanese Forces Should Stop Abuses Against Protesters

Human Rights Council Scrutiny Needed

When Sudanese from all walks of life woke to the October 25 news that the military had taken over control of the country and arrested key government officials – including the prime minister Dr. Abdalla Hamdok – many immediately took to the streets.…
A crowd of protesters in the street
News

Tunisia: Attack on Director of LGBT Group

Police Officers Suspected; Investigation Needed

Two police officers apparently brutally attacked the director of a Tunis-based LGBT rights group on October 21, 2021, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack on Badr Baabou took place against a backdrop of mounting abuses targeting LGBT activists by…
Badr Baabou, director of Damj Association for Justice and Equality, following his assault by suspected police officers in Tunisia. © 2021 Badr Baabou
News

Sudan: Military Takeover Threatens Rights

Allow Peaceful Protests; Respect Political Participation of All; Free Detainees

(Nairobi) – Sudan’s military leaders responsible for the October 25, 2021 takeover should respect and protect the rights of all Sudanese people, including the right to life and peaceful protest, Human Rights Watch said today. Military leaders, who…
Pro-democracy protesters flash the victory sign as they take to the streets to condemn a takeover by military officials, in Khartoum, Sudan, October 25, 2021.
News

UN rights body should not end scrutiny of Sudan

Item 10 Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on Sudan - HRC48

Thank you, Madam President.  Hopes that the 2019 transition would usher a new era into Sudan continue to be dashed. The transitional authorities have taken some positive measures, including the ratification of key international treaties,…
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok chairs a cabinet meeting in the capital Khartoum, Sudan on September 21, 2021. 
News

Sudan’s Rights-Abiding Transition is Under Threat

Sudan and the UN Human Rights Council Should Work Together to Deliver Reforms

Next week Sudan’s human rights record will be discussed at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The session comes at a critical time for Sudan, which is still in a difficult transition period following the ousting of ex-president Omer al-Bashir in…
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok chairs a cabinet meeting in the capital Khartoum, Sudan on September 21, 2021. 
News

Tunisia: President’s Repressive Policies Abrogate Rights

Dozens Placed Under Arbitrary House Arrests

(Tunis) – Arbitrary and politically motivated acts of repression have proliferated in Tunisia since July 25, 2021, when President Kais Saied suspended parliament, Human Rights Watch said today. He also lifted parliamentary immunity, dismissed the head…
Tunisian President Kais Saied raises his fist to bystanders as he walks along the avenue Bourguiba in Tunis, Tunisia, August 1, 2021.
News

Joint Letter to Sudan's Transitional Government on ICC Handovers

Sovereign Council and Council of Ministers, Republic of the Sudan His Excellency Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, Republic of the Sudan Nasredeen Abdulbari, Minister of Justice, Republic of the Sudan 26 August 2021 Re: Transfer of ICC Suspects…
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Tunisia: President’s Seizure of Powers Threatens Rights

A Dangerous Move Capitalizes on Popular Frustration

(Tunis) – Tunisian President Kais Saied should safeguard the human rights of all Tunisians and reverse any repressive measures taken since announcing July 25 measures that largely concentrate powers in his office, Human Rights Watch said today. On…
Kais Saied during the sworn ceremony in Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia on October 23, 2019.
News

Sudan’s Planned Joint Force Threatens Rights-Abiding Transition

Proper Security Forces Reform Urgently Needed

Sudan’s transitional government announced plans last week to create a new joint security force tasked with ensuring the rule of law and fighting security threats across the country. But the joint force is riddled with problems, not least of which is…
A Sudanese soldier from the Rapid Support Forces or RSF stands on his vehicle during a military-backed tribe's rally in the East Nile province, Sudan on June 22th, 2019.
News

ICC: First Major Hearings on Darfur Crimes

Sudan Should Transfer al-Bashir, Other Suspects to International Criminal Court

(Hague) – The International Criminal Court’s first major hearings in the case of Ali Kosheib on May 24, 2021, are an important step toward justice for grave crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, Human Rights Watch said today. But the absence of four…
Displaced people living in Ardamata camp in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, welcoming the start of proceedings in the case against “Janjaweed” militia leader Ali Kosheib at the International Criminal Court. Photos courtesy of Radio Dabanga www.dabangasudan.org. 
News

Sudan: Lethal Force Used Against Protesters

Allow Peaceful Assembly, Reform Security Forces

(Nairobi) – Sudan’s armed forces used excessive and lethal force against peaceful protesters gathered in Khartoum on May 11, 2021, to commemorate victims of a 2019 deadly crackdown, Human Rights Watch said today. Sudan’s Health Ministry said two…
Sudanese protesters gather to commemorate the two-year anniversary of a deadly crackdown by security forces outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan, on May 11, 2021.