THE SHRINKING OF CIVIC SPACE IN BLUE NILE STATE, SUDAN

Type: Official

Status: Published

No.: H.K/PS/34/023 Date: 9th November 2023 <h5> PRESS STATEMENT</h5> <h6> THE SHRINKING OF CIVIC SPACE IN BLUE NILE STATE, SUDAN</h6> Since the war broke out on 15th April 2023 between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF), the working space of civil society reduced. Activists have been targeted within and out of the war zones. In Blue Nile State, the situation is worsening day by day. The situation in Blue Nile state is more critical and there is systematic targeting of the activists and civil society actors by the authority. Some of the incidents that happened are indicated below; On 19th August 2023, SAF soldiers came on eight (8) pickup vehicles stopped a cultural event at the premises of communist party in Damazin town and thirty-six (36) people among them the communist party members were arrested. They arrested and deported them to Damazin military garrison and later transferred them to Damazin central police where they were forced to sign pledge forms promising never to conduct any activity unless they acquired permission. Thereafter, they were released. Some of the arrested people are: Akram Abdelnabi, Bakri Mustafa Abu-Darweesh, Tariq Sediq, Tariq Elrasheed, Bahaa-eldin Garja, Bahaa-eldin Mukhtar, Muaaz Zakaria, Ahmed Aalim Abdelmoneim, Yousif Omer, Yassin Hassan Ali, Badr-eldin Salih, Mamdouh Jad, Adil Mohammed, Hafiz Musa, Mohammed Nour Ali, Ibrahim Yousif and Abubaker Yousif. On 30th August 2023, two women activists (Ms. Nahla Elbadri and Ms. Muna Balla) were summoned by SAF and General Intelligence Service (GIS) interrogated them about Sudan’s Mothers protest march that was planned for the same day by Blue Nile women in Damazin. On 30th August 2023, GIS soldiers arrested eight (8) women activist and journalist from Elmawlid Square as they conducted a peaceful march calling for an end of the war. This protest march was conducted by the coalition of women named as Sudan’s Mothers. The arrested women and journalists are; Nahla Elbadri, Marwa Abouna, Mariam Abdalla, Hajir Haidar, Hafeeza Mohammed, Laila Elnour, Wafaa Adam, Jawahir Ibrahim and the journalist is Mr. Musaab Rizq-Alla. From 6th to 11th September 2023, Ms. Nahla Elbadri was forced to report on daily base to the humanitarian commissioner’s office where she could be interrogated and intimidated by SAF officers. On 14th September 2023, Blue Nile State police issued government orders prohibiting the following activities; women parties, workshops, training courses and seminars. On 18th September 2023, and days after, for more than four times, Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) manager in Damazin was summoned to the humanitarian commissioner’s office where he was interrogated by SAF officers about some activists (among them the facilitator Dr. Hassan Hamza who used to visit SUDO office). On 19th September 2023, the social development ministry in Blue Nile state stopped (froze) the operations (activities) of Women’s Awareness Initiative (WAI) under accusation of conducting political activities. Later on 19th October 2023 the stopping order was revoked with a condition that, WAI activities should be under observation of the concerned department to reserve the security situation in the region. On 24th September 2023, the Eatidal (Moderation) Organization activities were stopped by the social development ministry. The reason given was that, the general manager of the organization didn’t condemn the actions of RSF during his speech at Jumaa prayers. On 23rd October 2023, Attab cultural Salon activities were forcibly revoked by social development ministry because of Facebook live speech made by its manager (Dr. Mashaer) in which she criticized Roseries locality governor. Also, the civic operations of the youth CBOs were stopped. They accused the youth that they suspected political activities in their work and incomplete registration. The affected CBOs are; The Youth Mechanism for Children protection, We Are All Relatives Initiative, The Youth network for Civil Education, and The Civil Work. Damazin is the capital city of Blue Nile State and Roseries is the second town, neighboring Damazin. Nahla Elbadri is the manager of WAI organization. The general manager of Eatidal organization is Nasr- Eldin Mufarah (the former minister of religious and Endowment Ministry during the transitional period). HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety and rights of civilians in Sudan during this difficult period of fighting between SAF and RSF and calls for the followings:  Sudan Armed Forces to stop arresting civilians arbitrarily.  The Blue Nile government to respect the civilians’ rights.  The Blue Nile government to remove any restrictions imposed on civil space.  The humanitarian aid commission in Blue Nile state to stop aiding SAF and GIS in violating the rights of organizations and activists. End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com

THE SHRINKING OF CIVIC SPACE IN BLUE NILE STATE, SUDAN

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