The British Embassy in Khartoum, in a tweet attributable to Ambassador Irfan Siddiq, expressed grave concern over continued detention of activists and politicians. According to Bajnews, the British Government called on the Sudanese Government to conduct an urgent investigation into the reports of death of detainees, and those responsible should be held accountable.

The Ambassador described the release by the Government of the Sudan of a number of detainees as positive step, but called for the urgent release of all political detainees. “There are a number of activists, politicians and journalists in detention without charge or trial, the continuation of their detention will further deepen the crisis, they must be freed as soon as possible,” he said.

Large demonstrations erupted in Sudan’s cities and in the capital Khartoum, after a call by the Sudanese Professionals Association on 19 December urging people to hit the streets to demand the step down of President Omer Al Bashir, leading to detention of a large number of activists, politicians, journalists and students, and over 50 people lost their lives including a teacher in the village of Ghashm Al Girba, Ahmed Al Khair Awad Al Karim, who died in detention, but his family said he was tortured to death, a charge the government is vehemently denying.

Sudan is a member of the United Nations, and has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, whereby citizens enjoy the unrestricted right to expression, association and peaceful assembly, and Chapter II of the interim constitution of Sudan 2005, Article 27, clearly provides for the need of state’s commitment to agreements and conventions it has ratified.

Source; Bajnews