Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has joined 35 African and International NGOs and individuals to call on  Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take stronger action to address the widespread and grave human rights violations in Sudan.

Despite discussions on the nation's human rights situation having taken place at the HRC in September 2015, the Sudanese military and allied militia have continued to violate international humanitarian and human rights law by abusing and targeting civilians  in South Kordodan, Blue Nile and Darfur,  and by severely repressing civil and political rights.

In a letter outlining its serious concerns, the group calls for the strengthening of the mandate on Sudan, which is currently largely confined to technical assistance and capacity building.  The letter urges the adoption of a strong and action-orientated resolution on Sudan under agenda item 4, and the mandating of a Special Rapporteur to monitor and report on human rights violations and recommend concrete ways of ending the abuses. The letter calls on the Permanent and Observer States at the Council to urge the Government of Sudan to implement recommendations made during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2016. It also notes and condemns the government’s crackdown on protests and restrictions on civil society and human rights defenders, including the interception of four civil society representatives at Khartoum Airport who were traveling to a high level human rights meeting in Geneva.

The crackdown on civil and political rights has included increasing restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Since December 2015 there has been an increase in arbitrary detentions of church leaders and several have been held incommunicado. The government has interfered in the affairs of the Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SEPC) by authorising an illegally constituted committee to administrate on behalf of the denomination. Three men, including two senior leaders of the Sudan Church of Christ (SCC), Reverend Hassan Abduraheem and Reverend Kuwa Shamal, are currently on trial for national security crimes after Reverend Abduraheem donated money towards the medical treatment of a Darfuri student injured in a demonstration. The case against Reverend Kuwa appears to be due to his friendship with Reverend Abduraheem and his senior position in the SCC.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “We urge the Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States at the United Nations Human Rights Council to take serious action in response to the deplorable human rights situation in Sudan. The reports of severe violations from every part of the country are serious enough to warrant the strengthening of the mandate and the appointing of a special rapporteur. The targeting of civilians in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, the restrictions on civil and political rights, including on freedom of religion or belief, and the harassment of civil society, and human rights defenders are deeply concerning. We call on the Council to adopt a resolution that addresses the realities on the ground.”