The human rights situation in Sudan continues to be of grave concern, with peaceful protesters killed or injured almost daily by security forces, as well as a crackdown on critics of the authorities and independent journalists.

Credible statistics from the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors show that 71 people have been killed and more than 2,200 injured by state security forces during the protests since the October 25, 2021 coup. Among them, 17 have been killed since the beginning of this year. Yesterday alone, security forces brutally dispersed protesters in Khartoum, killing seven people and injuring dozens of protesters with live ammunition.

Our Joint Human Rights Office in Sudan also noted a trend showing that more than 25% of those injured were directly affected by tear gas canisters. This raises fears that security forces are firing tear gas canisters horizontally, aimed at individuals, in violation of international standards.

We reiterate our call on the Sudanese authorities to immediately cease the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force – including the use of live ammunition – against peaceful protesters. The use of live ammunition is permitted only as a strictly last resort measure in the event of an imminent threat to life or serious injury. Thorough, prompt and independent investigations must be carried out and the authorities have a duty to ensure that the perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice.

A campaign of arbitrary arrests and detentions against protesters, journalists and media workers continues under the state of emergency, with security forces breaking into activists’ homes and even entering hospitals to arrest injured protesters, preventing them from accessing emergency care. There are also disturbing reports of attacks on health care workers and facilities.

The crackdown on freedom of opinion and expression also appears to be intensifying through arrests of journalists, house and office raids and searches, ill-treatment of journalists, and suspension of licenses. At least eight journalists were ill-treated by security forces while covering protests.

On Saturday, January 15, the broadcasting license of Aljazeera Live – the Arabic-language live news and events channel that is part of the Aljazeera Media Network – was revoked. On January 13, the Sudanese armed forces reportedly entered the premises of Al Araby television in Khartoum, arbitrarily arresting four of its employees as they covered a demonstration from the roof of the building. On December 30, police and joint security forces, including the Rapid Support Forces, stormed the offices of AlArabiyah and AlHadath TV channels in Khartoum while covering protest marches in Khartoum. During the raid, they beat and harassed staff with batons and damaged offices.

We call on the Sudanese authorities to stop targeting journalists, to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully respected, that peaceful protests are facilitated rather than met with unnecessary force and disproportionate. Journalists and media organizations must be able to carry out their crucial work freely and free from harassment and intimidation.

As highlighted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a constructive, inclusive and participatory dialogue is urgently needed to ensure a speedy return to civilian rule in Sudan. The Sudanese people must be able to participate in shaping the future of the country.