The Emergency Lawyers group has rejected the death sentence against lawyer Abubakar Mansour following its confirmation by an appeals court, stating the case was marred by procedural violations affecting fair trial guarantees and defence rights.
Mansour, a human rights defender, was arrested from his home in Sinjah, Sennar state, on November 25, 2024. He faced charges under the Sudanese Penal Code, including undermining the constitutional system and inciting war against the state through alleged affiliation with the Rapid Support Forces.
In a statement on Sunday, the Emergency Lawyers said Mansour has been detained for approximately 517 days. The group argued that this timeframe reflects the use of politically motivated charges to prolong his detention.
The group noted that a court initially convicted him on April 27, 2025. An appeals court reviewed the case in July of that year, dropping some charges while maintaining others and recommending a harsher sentence. This led to the case being returned to the court of first instance.
In October 2025, the Sinjah Criminal Court sentenced Mansour to death. The group pointed out that the proceedings suffered from incomplete evidence hearings and restricted defence rights, noting the verdict was issued without notifying his legal team or allowing them to attend.
The Emergency Lawyers expressed concern over the tightening restrictions on the legal profession. They cited the arrest of Abubakar al-Mahi, a member of the defence team, as evidence of threats to lawyers’ ability to perform their duties without pressure.
The group asserted that the overall trajectory of the case raises serious doubts about the neutrality of the proceedings. They suggested that non-judicial considerations have interfered with the course of justice, negatively impacting public confidence in the legal system.
The statement called for a review of the case in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. It urged authorities to ensure the defence team can operate without restrictions and to examine all proceedings from the start of the case to ensure judicial rulings are free from procedural flaws.
Sudan rights group rejects death sentence for human rights lawyer
