Sudan is a member state of the United Nations and is obliged by the charter of the United Nations to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons within its territory. It is also subject to other international human rights instruments. e.g. as a member of the international labor organization, it has ratified conventions against forced labor and the right to organize for collective bargaining, and fair employment terms.

Further still, it’s to be noted that Sudan has signed the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Although the signing has not been followed by ratification, the signing shows the intention to accept the obligations under this convention and under the customary international law.

Also in its resolution 2444(XX111) on the respect of human rights in armed conflicts, the United Nations General Assembly expressly recognizes the principle of civilian immunity and affirms that "it is prohibited to launch attacks against civilian populations."

International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks against civilians as a method of combat, and the pillage and destruction of civilian property.

In spite of these provisions, approximately 1.9 million people are believed to have died in Southern and Central Sudan as a result of the war, now entering its seventeenth year. One out of every five of the country’s total population, have been displaced since the beginning of the war in 1983.

Approximately 360,000 Sudanese have fled and become refugees in the neighboring countries. In addition large numbers have left Sudan and are residing in countries such as Egypt, albeit without formal refugee status. Many people lack land or dependable security to farm. Malnutrition and disease are rampant and relief efforts to many locations are impeded.

In 1998, alone, thirty thousand people perished as a consequence of the famine crisis. According to a W.F.P mid-1998 assessment report, out of a total population of 30 million there were 2.6 million people at risk of starvation in the Sudan, 2.4 million of them in southern Sudan. This excludes the estimated 100,000 people in the areas of Nuba mountains.

The war in Sudan is conducted in total disregard of the human rights and international humanitarian law principles. Violations are perpetrated by all parties involved in the conflict, with the government and groups under its control bearing the largest share of responsibility. The wars and the pernicious strategies employed have also revived and exacerbated the problem of abductions in the Sudan.

The war tactics employed by the principle parties involved in the conflict is the denial of humanitarian assistance. Government authorities continue to block or harass humanitarian relief operators. The parties to the conflict manipulate humanitarian aid programs to get food for their troops and use refugee camps and displaced people to conscript new soldiers.

The abuses inflicted during the conflict have also claimed victims from among the humanitarian assistance workers themselves. Looting, attacks on civilian populations, stealing cattle, burning of crops and homes, abduction of women and children, bombings and diversion of civilian relief aid continue unabated.

The Khartoum government also perpetrates abuses which constitute breaches to cease-fire accords signed thereby jeopardizing humanitarian assistance and increasing the suffering of the civilian population. The use of weapons, including land mines, against the civilian population continue to be a matter of utmost concern.

Antinov planes, helicopter gunships, tanks and artillery are used indiscriminatively. The internally displaced say government troops deliberately burn their food stores and kill their livestock to make it impossible for them to stay in the area. Rampant cases of torture, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment are imposed on individuals by the security forces.

Cases of extra-judicial killings and lack of due process of law are very rampant. The arbitrary detentions are mainly related to freedom of opinion and expression thus highlighting a specific pattern of harassment by the Sudanese authorities.

The Sudan Human Rights Association urges all the parties to the conflict to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law.

It also calls for the immediate halt on the use of weapons, including landmines, against the civilian population. It calls for the total granting of unhindered access of relief aid particularly to Bahr-el-ghazal and Nuba Mountains.

It calls upon the government of Sudan to comply fully with its international human rights obligations and to ensure the rule of law by harmonizing its legislation with applicable international human rights standards. It urges for effective measures to be taken to stop all acts of torture, to investigate reports of abduction of women and children and to accept a multi-lateral investigation into the causes of the abduction of women and children subjected to forced Nubia or similar conditions.

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Situation of Human Rights in Sudan Remains Seriously Wanting

Situation of Refugees in D.R. Congo

New Wave of Refugee Influx in Uganda

10 years of the Convention of the Rights of the Child

Refugees Testify Experiences

Overview of SHRA's work, 1999 / SHRA Calendar of Events 2000