Civil society organizations denounce violence in Sudan

Today, over ten Canadian civil society organizations released a joint statement to denounce the recent and ongoing violent repression against peaceful, non-violent protesters in Sudan. In the statement, the organizations—including Inter Pares—call upon the Transitional Military Council to disarm and disband the Rapid Support Forces and other militias, and immediately restore the rule of law. The statement also echoes support for the people of Sudan in their quest for justice, democracy and a return to civilian rule.

Download the statement here, or read below:

Canadian Civil Society Statement on Sudan
Ottawa, June 11, 2019

On June 2nd, 2019, paramilitary forces in Sudan known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF - formerly called the Janjaweed) and others, began surrounding and shooting peaceful non-violent protestors in Khartoum and Omdurman. Other cities were also affected. Dozens have been killed, with hundreds wounded and missing. Most recent reports have indicated that the RSF have attacked hospitals where the wounded are being treated, including medical staff. Within the city, there are eye-witness accounts of women being sexually assaulted by paramilitary forces. The internet has been shut down, making communications difficult. The Khartoum/Ombdurman locale remains under occupation with the RSF moving throughout the city inciting fear.

The main civilian negotiations and protest body, the Freedom and Change Alliance has responded by breaking off negotiations with the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and has called for a nation-wide political strike and civil disobedience. It has also called for a denunciation by the international community.

As Canadian civil society organizations in response to this situation, we:

1. Recognize and denounce the brutality and violence inflicted upon all non-violent and unarmed peaceful protestors.
2. Acknowledge, and denounce in the strongest terms the perpetration of any and all sexual violence.
3. Call upon the TMC to disarm and disband the RSF and other militias.
4. Call upon the TMC to immediately restore the rule of law, ensure the right to healthcare for those wounded, and enable that women who have been sexually assaulted receive stigma-free care and support.
5. Call upon the international community, including the Canadian government, to carefully consider imposing specific and targeted sanctions for perpetrators.
6. Support the people of Sudan in their quest for justice, democracy and a return to civilian rule for which they have struggled for decades.

Signatories
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
CARE Canada
Inter Pares
Kairos
Nobel Women’s Initiative
Oxfam Canada
The MATCH International Women’s Fund
The United Church of Canada
Unifor Social Justice Fund
United Steelworkers
USC Canada
Veterinarians without Borders