Statement by the Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organisations (CSCSOs) on the recent events in Sudan

Statement by the Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organisations (CSCSOs) on the recent events in Sudan

October 2013

The Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organizations (CSCSOs) has been following with increasing concern the recent mass protests and the Sudan governments’ heavy handed response to these protests as well asthe loss of innocent lives. The protests were triggered by the Governments decision to lift fuelsubsidies as a measure to deal with a faltering economy, this ‐ despite numerous warnings and advice to the contrary voiced by various economic experts and institutions as well as leading figures affiliated with the ruling party. These measures which completely disregarded the opposing public opinion and sentiment heavily voiced by both traditional as well as formal sectors of society as well as in the press in the weeks preceding the decision, could not have been enacted were it not for the repressive context of the state being governed solely and exclusively by the regime of the National Congress Party. A regime which has continuously denied the Sudanese people their fundamental rights and freedom and continuesto enactlegislation which runs contrary to the constitution as well as international treaties and conventions ratified by the Sudanese people. Such legislation including but not limited to the National Security and Intelligence Act, the Press and Publications Act, the Voluntary and Humanitarian Act, and manymore. The institutionalized ethnic and religious differentiation and marginalization of those sectors of Sudanese society which carry significant weight, in addition to injustice, discrimination and corruption have led to the cessation of South Sudan and continue to fuel conflict in greater Darfur, Blue Nile State and South Kordofan State. Conflicts which have drained the country’s wealth and resources and have caused immense human loss and suffering and now pose a real threat to the further disintegration of the state. Conflicts which have locked the Sudanese people in a vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance and lack of well‐being. Itis within this broader context that the masses have taken to the streets in the capital Khartoum as well as other major towns and cities in the country, voicing their discontent at these suffocating economicmeasuresthat will onlymake theirlives evenmore unbearable. The Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organisations whilst strongly rejecting these latest economic measures and lending its unwavering support to the protestors who are likewise expressing their right to voice their opinion on the matter, appeals to the protestorsto respect the boundaries of freedom/rights of assembly/protest and to exercise discipline, public order and regard for the rights of others. Moreover, violence, the destruction of public and/or private property, and violence against those bodies responsible for upholding law and order are to be condemned. Likewise we call upon the bodies responsible for upholding law and order to respect the rights and freedom of peaceful assembly and expression of the people and refrain from the use of violence and let halforce. Furthermore, we demand of the Judiciary and Police Authorities to launch an independent and transparent investigation on the use of live ammunition against the demonstrators and the resulting death and injury of many of them. These investigations and their outcomes should be made public and those responsible should be held accountable.We call upon the ruling party and its various organs to review its current governance practices which has violated basic rights and freedoms, impoverished the population and undermined the country’s security and territorial integrity. In addition to placing people’slivelihoods in jeopardy,the ongoing protests also come in response to the lacking rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and an absence of democratic systems and good governance. The continued abuse of power,repression of citizens and bad ill‐advised policies will only lead to the collapse and disintegration of the country and the misery of its people. Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organisations 26 September 2013 The Confederation of Sudanese Civil Society Organizations (CSCSO) is an autonomous, independent and politically non‐partisan body established to support and safeguard the space and rights of its member organizations.