Cairo, on December 7th 2009

ACIJLP Condemns the Sudanese government's practices regarding the right of peaceful assembly

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its deep concern about the practices of the Sudanese government towards the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, which represents explicitly violation of international instruments and commitments in particular Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states that " The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.. "

The events in the city of Omdurman, Sudan - Khartoum - raises many concerns about the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful assembly in the Sudan; where the Sudanese security forces, on Monday 7 December 2009, used excessive force against a peaceful march before the National Sudanese Council - Parliament - resulted in the arrest of several demonstrators, and injuries to “Yasser Arman”, Deputy of General Secretary of the People's Movement for the Liberation of the Sudan, and a member of the Sudanese Parliament

What raises the concerns of the Center is that the Sudanese opposition, which organized this peace march, had already informed the security authorities of this march.

The Sudanese opposition has called for this march to present a memorandum to the National Sudanese Council claiming for legislative amendments to the laws restricting freedoms like the National Security Act, the referendum law on the fate of southern Sudan, and the law of the popular consultation of the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile region, as well as demanding for the current political situation in Sudan..

While the Center condemns these practices of the Sudanese security organs, it urges the Sudanese government to respect its international obligations and commitments, and to ensure the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as the immediate release of Sudanese detainees who were arrested in this march.