At least 110 opposition supporters were murdered in Sudan earlier this month when a paramilitary group violently dispersed a peaceful sit-in outside defence headquarters in Khartoum. The massacre followed six months of developing protests that began over bread prices last December, leading to a general strike in May.  The demonstrators were initially protesting against the 30-year-rule of Omar al-Bashir.  They continued to protest after he was deposed by the military, demanding a swift transition to civilian rule.

We encourage members to update their knowledge of what is occurring in Sudan: https://menasolidaritynetwork.com/2019/06/03/briefing-who-are-the-armed-men-who-threaten-sudans-peaceful-revolution/ and contact your MPs to promote the following three demands:

We call on the UK government to:

• halt military and security cooperation with individuals and groups in Sudan responsible for human rights abuses.
• end to the transfer of arms or equipment to Sudan which can be used for repression.
• end the Khartoum process.

We note the following statement from the Sudanese Professionals Association (3 June 2019):

In the early hours of today, Rapid Support Forces backed by security forces and Police stormed the sit-in area in front of the headquarters of the Sudanese army in the capital Khartoum. Fire bullets were used excessively and injured several unarmed citizens; uncounted numbers of them are dead. The raiding forces burned the tents in the sit-in area and used excessive physical force against the protestors. The raid and attacks against civilians are still ongoing in an attempt to break and disperse the peaceful sit-in.
We consider this violation a criminal offence against the Sudanese people, and a total reversion to the old regime’s tactics and policies.
The Sudanese revolution will continue and shall prevail.

The Foreign Relations Committee, Sudanese Professionals Association
foreignrelations@sudaneseprofessionals.org

UCU University of Leeds Branch Committee