African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies

New ACJPS Report Highlights the Worsening Climate for Journalists and the Freedom of Expression in Sudan

(6 January 2012) On Friday, 6 January the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) issued a new report documenting a year-long campaign by the Government of Sudan to limit the freedom of expression and press (Sudan Steps Backward: National Security Intensifies Violations of Freedom of Expression in 2011). Using new tactics that include preventing vendors from distributing copies of printed papers, and directly targeting journalists and editors, this strategy is designed to prevent editors, journalists, and publishers from printing material that might upset the ruling National Congress Party. Media professionals arrested by National Security officials have been victims of torture, confiscation of equipment and even a ban on any future publishing.

Over the course of 2011, ACJPS documented the arrest of over 20 journalists, closure of 6 newspapers, countless confiscations of printed papers and the banning of 3 journalists from publishing. These incidents continued into December 2011 and early January 2012. They highlight the worsening climate for journalists and the freedom of expression in Sudan.

The most recent examples of the new strategy to intimidate media professionals and radically circumscribe freedom of expression are listed in the press release.

Read the full press release here

Sudan Human Rights Monitor

October to November 2011

This issue provides an overview of the relationship between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM). They have failed to resolve a number of outstanding post-referendum issues including the status of Abyei, the conduct of popular consultations in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, citizenship, border demarcation, responsibility for the national debt, and an oil management arrangement. The fragile relationship has deteriorated in recent months by ongoing conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, accusations that each side is supporting rebellion in each other’s territory, and now ground and aerial attacks by Sudan on the territory of South Sudan.

The monitor also includes an overview of incidents of arbitrary arrest, torture, incursions into IDP camps, denial of the freedoms of expression and religion, and an update on previously reported incidents in Sudan.

Find the full Monitor here

Update on Violations in Blue Nile and South Kordofan

(January 2012) The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) continues to follow the conflicts that erupted in the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan in the summer of 2011.

With the increase in battles between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), the situation for civilians deteriorated due to the absence of food and medicine, loss of shelter, and lack of international and national NGO presence. The government appointed one of the parties of the conflict, the SAF, to facilitate the movement of food inside the state. This has created challenges for people in areas that are known to be loyal to the SPLM-N to get food and supplies.

Find the full report here.