Submitted by: Liberal Democrats (UK); Liberal International British Group
Noting
The 60th LI Congress in Mexico in 2015, called for a transitional government of national unity to address solutions for the multiple problems in the country, avoiding renewed violent actions against the population of Darfur and other regions of the country, and called for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir
That following four months of demonstrations President Omar Bashir, having come to power 30 years ago in a military coup, was himself overthrown by a military coup on 11 April 2019.
That subsequently the governance of the country was taken over by a Transitional Military Council (TMC) on April 12th 2019 headed by Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the former army inspector general, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (A.K.A Hemetti), Commander of the Rapid Support Forces and Vice-President of the TMC, who has stated that their intent was to transfer power to a civilian government in two years
The rejection of the two year military transition period by the Declaration of Freedom and Change, led by the “Sudanese Professionals’ Association” (SPA)
Noting
The incredible display of bravery expressed by the Sudanese people during their struggle for peace, democracy and human rights. In particular their undoubted and commendable commitment to non-violent principles in spite of regular attacks and antagonization by the previous regime and by the TMC.
The continuing protests and displays of civil disobedience organised by the SPA in rejection of continued military rule
Reports of continued violence against peaceful protesters in Khartoum on 13 May killing six persons and injuring over 100, and on 15 May when an unidentified militia – alleged to be the Rapid Support Forces – opened fire on protesters in an attempt to disperse them. Further violence against protesters has been reported in Darfur on May 4 in Otash camp where one 18 year-old was killed and others injured in addition to injuries sustained by protesters in Zalingei on May 2.
The decision on 28 May 2019 by the TMC to close the office of Al-Jazeera in Khartoum and to revoke the credentials of any staff members.
Expressing support for
The broad aims of the anti-regime and anti-corruption protest movement,
A peaceful transition of power to a government elected by universal suffrage, enabling a more sectionally representative government, sufficiently legitimate to address the many unresolved economic, tribal, security, institutional and regional issues that still face the Sudanese nation-state
Believes
The Sudanese people have the right to be governed by a government of their own choosing that respects human rights, peace, democracy and justice
That the basic demands of the SPA and demonstrators across the country represent legitimate aspirations best served by a civilian government better able to put the pursuit of public policy above the private interests of those in Bashir’s kleptocratic system.
That the use of force to keep the TMC in power will be counter-productive and precipitate a descent into chaos with negative implications on the peace and security in the wider region.
Calls for
he immediate release of all political prisoners that were arrested for peacefully exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly since the start of the protests in December 2018.
A comprehensive independent review of all laws that restrict the internationally accepted rights of all individuals in Sudan. This includes the 2010 National Security Act, Public Order Laws and so forth, in addition to the immediate repeal of the death penalty.
The TMC to immediately disclose the whereabouts of all members of the previous regime and to ensure they are either charged with a recognizable offence – insofar as it does not carry the death penalty – or are released. Those remaining in detention must be ensured all their international rights including, but not limited to, rights to a fair trial, access to a lawyer, medical treatment and family visits.
Sudan to immediately take steps to ratify several international conventions including the Convention Against Torture and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The comprehensive reform of the National Intelligence and Security Services. In particular to remove their ability to arrest and detain individuals and instead to solely focus their activities on information gathering.
The international community to hold the TMC and its regional allies to account for any violent acts undertaken against the protesters, using sanctions where appropriate on individuals obstructing negotiations towards a genuinely representative transitional council.
Unconditional implementation of the initial agreement between the TMC and the SAP about the surrender of power to a temporary civilian government with a Supreme Council composed in majority by civilians and a technocrat Legislative Council
The establishment of processes by The Carter Center (TCC) or equivalent through which the Sudanese military are pulled back from unnecessary military campaigns best resolved through diplomatic & political meansSteps by any new government to establish economic stability and transparency
The handing over of Omar al Bashir and other indicted individuals to the ICC to answer charges of war crimes
International support for the TCC or equivalent and a civilian transition plan, including debt rescheduling and transition support, plus the lifting of sanctions including multilateral UNSC1672 and UNSC1591 both conditional on the above.
