The International Union for Muslim Scholars has called on the Sudanese government to protect the right to peaceful expression and refrain from attacking demonstrators.

Large protests continued across Sudan since 19 December, with demonstrations initially began over shortage of fuel and rising prices of food commodities but morphed into demands for President Al Bashir to step down.

The Sudanese government confirmed the death of 29 people in the protests but credible reports, including Amnesty International; said the death toll is nearly double that number.

In statement issued today Wednesday, the Union expressed concern over ongoing protests in Sudan, saying Sudanese took to streets because of poverty, unemployment and rising rate of inflation.

The Union supported the petition of the Sudan’s Muslim Scholars Body handed over to President Al Bashir last week, and stressed that Sharia (the Islamic law and international conventions guarantee to Sudanese the right to protest provided public peace is preserved and violence avoided).

The press release also highlighted the political turmoil in Sudan and the “unprecedented shortage of fuel and bread”, saying Sudanese are unable to bear the burden of the economic and political crisis.

The International Union of Muslim Scholars is a religious organization based in Qatar; its members include Sunni Muslim clerics with great connections with Muslim Brotherhood.

Last year, the general assembly of the Union elected the Moroccan Islamic researcher, Ahmed Abdul Salam Al Raisoni, as president of the Union, succeeding Al Qaradawi who led the organization since its inception.

Desisting from restricting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is consistent with the constitution and human rights charters and also promote them. The attention attracted by issues of human rights reveals the inclusive and humane nature of these rights, their safeguarding and respect is a matter of concern for the entire humanity.

Source; Sudantribune