On 31 December 2018, a peaceful demonstration was called by the independent Sudanese Professionals Association, the second demonstration since the eruption of protests on 19 December, intended to march on the Presidential Palace to hand over a petition to President Omer Al Bashir demanding him to step down, according to tagpress website.

More than three thousand people have reportedly taken part in the demonstration including professionals and students who chanted slogans calling for regime change. Cases of loss of lives and injuries among the demonstrators were reported. According to Tagpress, a video clip widely circulated by activists on the social media showed a young blood-soaked demonstrator suffering head injuries. Security authorities carried out large scale arrests among demonstrators and used batons, whips, live bullets and teargas to disperse protesters.

Article 40 of the Interim Constitution of Sudan 2005 provides: The right to peaceful assembly shall be guaranteed; every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his/her interests. The text guarantees and safeguards the right to peaceful assembly and other rights connected with it, right to expression, sit-ins and demonstration.

Source: Tagpress