CIVICUS joins civil society groups in calling for the immediate release of Sudanese women human rights defenders in detention, and accountability for the crimes committed against them.
On 10 February 2022, the Sudanese security forces arrested 2 women; Ibthal Adil and Ala Shams Eldin, from their homes during a raid in Omdurman. On 9 February, Solafa Saad was arrested on fabricated grounds implicating her and a group of activists in the mysterious death of a police officer.
The Sudanese security forces started a new arrest campaign in the last weeks. More than 160 activists are currently in detention, their whereabouts still unknown.
Since the military coup on 25 October 2021, Sudanese women human rights defenders (WHRDs) have been facing unprecedented attacks. On 19 December 2021, at least 13 women were raped during ongoing protests, and dozens of women protesters reported sexual assault during arrest attempts. Women inside detention are at risk of torture, maltreatment and sexual abuse. According to the recently released women detainees, the conditions inside detention are appallingly inhumane.
We call for the immediate release of WHRDs and women detainees, in addition to dropping all fabricated charges against them. We also call for an immediate independent and impartial investigation into the crimes of sexual violence perpetrated both during protests and arrest. We demand accountability for the crimes committed against Sudanese women!
Signatories:
- International Service for Human Rights
- Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in MENA
- Nora Center for Combating Sexual Violence
- Sudanese Women Rights Action
- World Alliance for Citizen Participation-CIVICUS
