Forty-eight lawyers have been killed or detained by both sides in Sudan’s civil war since fighting erupted in April 2023, a lawyers’ group said on Thursday.
The Emergency Lawyers group said 16 members were killed and 32 detained since the war began, with eight still in custody after 24 were released in recent weeks, member Mohamed Salah al-Din said.
Al-Din told Sudan Tribune that the Security Cell, a joint force of army, police and intelligence services with arrest powers, was detaining activists, lawyers, doctors, teachers and others in army-controlled areas on accusations of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Simultaneously, the RSF suppressed civilian voices in areas under its control through intimidation, detention and assassination, he said.
He condemned the continuous targeting of civilian forces because of their opposition to the war and support for a democratic transition, saying most cases occurred due to lawyers representing victims of politically motivated reports.
Al-Din said the targeting by security authorities in army-controlled areas revealed intentions to retain power by force and suppress dissent, particularly by legal professionals and human rights defenders exposing illegal practices.
He said authorities were pursuing a systematic policy to silence civilian voices that began with broad random campaigns before evolving into a selective approach targeting influential civilian actors.
Both the army and RSF continue to pursue leaders and members of political forces that advocate ending the war through peaceful means, leading to a cessation of civilian activities, while groups supporting the continuation of the conflict are allowed to operate freely.
48 lawyers killed or detained in Sudan since start of conflict
