The Troika countries (United Kingdom, U.S. and Norway) have expressed grave concern about the government of Sudan over use of excessive force including live bullets during the recent wave of protests causing multiple deaths of demonstrators and called on the government to investigate the cases in which abuse of force has occurred.

A press release issued by the Troika and published on Sudantimes website on 24 December 2018, affirmed the Troika members are concerned over the violence occurring during the demonstrations that have caused loss of lives of a number of protesters. The statement indicated that peaceful protests is a legitimate right for the people of the Sudan and urged Sudanese Government to respond to demonstrations appropriately.

“The Troika (the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom) and Canada are concerned about the violence occurring during recent protests in Sudan, including credible reports of the use of live fire by the Government of Sudan and of multiple deaths during several protests. We reaffirm the right of the Sudanese people to peacefully protest to express their legitimate grievances.

We urge all to avoid the use of violence or destruction of property. We also urge the Government of Sudan to respond to demonstrations appropriately, through uniformed police acting in accordance with Sudanese and international human rights law, including the right to freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression – and to avoid the use of live fire on protestors, arbitrary detention, and censorship of the media.

We expect the Government of Sudan to implement measures to investigate cases in which abuse of force has occurred, and welcome the assurances provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard.”

Article 40 (1) of the Interim Constitution of the 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.

Source: Sudan Times