Condemn Sudan’s use of lethal force vs protests, pressure for democratic change

We call on the British government to condemn in the strongest terms the Sudanese regime's use of lethal force, including live ammunition, against the pro-democracy movement in Sudan. We further request that it pressure Khartoum to heed the protesters' demands for genuine democratic transformation.

We would draw the British government's attention to the deep and country-wide character of the popular movement against the Khartoum regime, along with the firmness of the response by civil society organizations and the strengthening consensus among opposition groups such as the Sudan Call and National Consensus Forces which are supporting the protesters’ demands (http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article66820)

Since protests broke out in Sudan in mid-December 2018, the UK has followed the situation closely and remains deeply concerned by the Government of Sudan's response to peaceful protest calling for change. The security forces use of lethal force and arbitrary detentions in response to peaceful protests is appalling and we condemn such actions as an unacceptable response to peaceful protest. We are also deeply concerned by President Bashir’s decision on 22 February to implement a state of emergency and emergency orders to criminalising peaceful and legitimate demonstrations.

In response, the UK, along with international partners, has made several public statements expressing the depth of our concern, making clear that we are appalled by the use of lethal force and arbitrary detentions of those seeking to exercise their right to protest. We condemn these acts and have been clear that the legitimate grievances of protesters must be addressed. These concerns were made clear most recently in our statements of 26 February (with US, Norway and Canada), and 28 February (alongside EU partners).

We continue to engage at the highest levels in Sudan, pressing the government to address these concerns. Most recently the DFID/FCO Minister for Africa, Mrs Baldwin, spoke to Sudan’s Foreign Minister to emphasise the depth of UK concern, the need to address the legitimate grievances of protestors and for the release of those imprisoned for seeking to exercise their right to freedom of expression. In addition, the Sudanese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office on 7 March to formally register the depth of ongoing concern, including at the imposition of a state of emergency.

We have made clear that the Government of Sudan should address the legitimate concerns of protestors, and the need to implement fully inclusive political and economic reforms. We will continue to do so in public and in private, along with likeminded partners in the international community.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office.