Response to violations against Sudanese journalists: Media institutions call for press rights, end to war

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, along with 16 independent media and journalistic institutions, signed a joint declaration on Tuesday, August 15 calling for an immediate end to the war, ensuring the safety of journalists, and enabling them to perform their duties without prejudice from the two sides of the fighting.

This came after journalists were subjected to many documented violations since the outbreak of war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15.

The statement, titled “Sudanese Media: Four Months of Violations”, represents the culmination of meetings held by leaders of media institutions and human rights organizations defending freedom of the press and publishing to discuss the conditions of the press and journalists in light of the current situation in Sudan, which has caused most newspapers, channels, and government and private radio stations to stop their work since the first day of the war.

The statement called on the warring parties to work towards “an immediate cessation of hostilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and the facilitation of press and journalists’ access to report accurate facts and truths to both the Sudanese populace and the global community.”

The statement, which came in collaboration with Dabanga - Radio TV Online, and in partnership with the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate and Journalists for Human Rights - Jahr - Sudan, listed the violations that journalists were subjected to, such as killing, arrest, and looting of their homes, belongings and work equipment, as well as the prosecution of journalists who expressed their opinions contrary to one of the two warring parties, which caused dozens to flee to neighboring countries, compelled some to abandon their profession, and prompted others to vanish voluntarily.

Commenting on the statement to Jusoor Post, Suleiman El-Senussi, a lawyer defending freedom of expression, confirmed that the statement stressed the need for unimpeded access for the press to the IDP centers in central and eastern Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have taken refuge, in addition to the need to provide independent coverage free of any restrictions.

“It is good that the statement indicates the need for unrestricted access to any area or location without harassment, restrictions, or censorship, especially in all regions of the five states of Darfur, the three states of Kordofan, and the Blue Nile state,” El-Senussi said.

“The statement did not forget the need to address the increase and spread of hate speech and racism during the war. It called on civil society organizations and resistance committees to work on addressing this and make it a priority in partnership and coordination with the press and journalists now and during the post-war stage,” he added.

“The international community must pressure the conflicting parties to uphold international law, protect journalists, and provide technical and financial support to ensure the sustainability of a free press,” El-Senussi continued.

It is noteworthy that Sudan ranked 151 out of 180 countries in the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, an annual ranking compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders.