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We write to express our deep concern over the violent attacks by the Sudanese government on peaceful protesters (Report of 18 January). Dozens of protesters have been killed by security forces in an effort to crack down on demonstrations and the government's reaction seems to be intensifying. There have been disturbing reports that security forces have fired bullets and tear gas at hospitals, which many observers are concerned about the atrocities committed by the regimes in Darfur, Blue Nile and other countries. Southern Kordofan.
The protesters come from all walks of Sudanese society and are united in the call for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir and key members of his government. We strongly condemn the disproportionate and deadly response of the Sudanese government to the peaceful protests of tens of thousands of Sudanese. The Sudanese government must now participate constructively in the legitimate demands raised by protesters across the country.
The United Kingdom must be firm in its call for the cessation of violence and the release of political prisoners. We call on the British government to do everything in its power to put pressure on the Sudanese government so that it respects the freedoms of badembly, expression and badociation set out in Sudanese law and international human rights law, and to guarantee any investigation into the killing of a large number of unarmed persons. protesters are independent and credible.
We look forward to the steps that the Foreign Minister will take to ensure that the human rights of protesters are respected, in particular the specific requirements that the British government will impose on the Sudanese government and the effects of Sudan's response to these demonstrations. . United Kingdom-Sudan Strategic Dialogue.
Bellingham MP Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sudan and South Sudan
David Drew MP Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
Nic Dakin MP Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
Stephen Doughty, MP Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
David Alton Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
Caroline Cox Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
John Montagu Vice-president, APPG Sudan and South Sudan
Jo Swinson Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Liberal Democrats
Jim Shannon MP Spokesman for Human Rights, DUP
Ann Clwyd MP Chairman of the Multiparty Parliamentary Group for the Defense of Human Rights (PHRG)
Caroline Lucas, MP
Christine Jardine, MP
Kate Osamor, MP
George Carey
Stephen Kerr, MP
Nick Holtam Bishop of Salisbury
Shaista Ahmad Sheehan
Richard Harries
Sammy Wilson, MP
Donald Curry
David Chidgey
Mary Goudie
Richard Burden MP
James Duddridge, MP
Caroline Spelman, MP
Stephen Twig, MP
Mary Creagh, MP
Stephen Doughty, MP
Patrick Grady
• Absence in your coverage of the demonstrations in Sudan (on January 23, Omar al-Bashir launches a campaign of media crackdown while the protests continue in Sudan), it is the targeted attacks and the aggressions against the nursing staff. According to reports, police allegedly stormed hospitals seeking peaceful protesters with tear gas and live ammunition inside a hospital emergency service. 39; Omdurman. Many members of the Sudanese doctors' union have been arrested and remain in detention.
When the health system becomes the center of conflict, it is our duty to make our political voice heard in action.
Last weekend, 200 British health workers, along with the British branch of the Sudan Doctors' Union, collaborated to send a letter to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They urged the United Kingdom to make a diplomatic intervention and called on President Omar al-Bashir and his regime to put an end to his brutal use of force in the face of these protests.
The history of this conflict is rooted in the continued dismantling of the social protection system, including the underfunding and privatization of the public health infrastructure. It is not surprising that Sudanese health workers are at the forefront of the political organization; it is our duty to support them.
Guppi Kaur Bola
Director, Medact
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