SUDAN WATCH: UNESCO

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Sudan: Human Rights Groups condemn RSF deployment near World Heritage sites in N. Sudan

ONE day facial recognition technology will help convict Hemeti after his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

From Sudan Tribune
Dated Tuesday, 16 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Human Rights Groups condemn RSF deployment near archaeological sites in Sudan

RSF fighters pose at the Meroitic temples of Musawwarat and Naqaa on January 16, 2024

January 16, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – Human rights activists in Sudan have expressed grave concern over the deployment of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) personnel near two UNESCO World Heritage sites in northern Sudan, the Meroitic temples of Musawwarat and Naqaa.

The alarm was raised following the release of a video showing Rapid Support Forces personnel present in the Musawwarat area, home to the remarkable Al-Musawarat Al-Safra archaeological complex. The site, located 190 kilometres northeast of Khartoum, is renowned for its temples, shrines, statues, and other artefacts dating back to the Meroitic Kingdom.

Further fueling these concerns, social media pages affiliated with the paramilitary forces posted images of their troops touring the ruins of Naqaa and Musawwarat.

Shortly after these images emerged, the 3rd Infantry Division announced that it had engaged a group of RSF fighters using military aircraft and heavy artillery. This operation reportedly destroyed a significant portion of the RSF contingent and the pursuit of the remaining forces to the state borders.

In response to these developments, the Sudan Emergency Lawyers group released a statement condemning the RSF deployment within the vicinity of these archaeological sites, stating that such actions put them at grave risk. The statement also held the RSF fully responsible for the safety of these historical treasures.

Moreover, the Sudan Emergency Lawyers urged the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to take prompt action to safeguard these World Heritage sites by engaging with both parties to the conflict and ensuring their protection from harm.

The lawyers emphasized the significance of these ancient sites, noting that they contain a wealth of historical artefacts dating back to the Meroitic Kingdom and are protected under the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The statement also highlighted the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which explicitly prohibits the use of cultural property or its surroundings for military purposes, emphasizing the need for both sides to uphold this international agreement. (ST)

View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281363/

ENDS

Monday, May 22, 2023

Sudan Journalists Syndicate demands RSF leaves broadcasting HQ. RSF shot photojournalist in back

NOTE that this photo was taken on April 14. It shows a Sudan Journalists Syndicate meeting held to discuss the security situation in Sudan. The meeting was held one day before 'surprise' fighting erupted in Khartoum.

Earlier this month a group of RSF rebels raided the office of El Hirak El Siyasi newspaper in Khartoum and award-winning Sudanese photojournalist Faiz Abubakr Mohamed was shot in the back. Read more.

Report at Radio Dabanga - dabangasudan.org

Dated Sunday 21 May 2023

Sudan Journalists Syndicate demand RSF leaves broadcasting HQ

Sudan Journalists Syndicate meet to discuss the security situation in the country on April 14, one day before the outbreak of war (Source: SJS)

(KHARTOUM / OMDURMAN - May 21, 2023) - As Sudan entered its 34th day of war on Friday, the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) released a statement condemning the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) use of “media and press institutions as a field of military battles.”

“The Radio and Television Corporation has been suspended from working and broadcasting since April 15,” when clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group, spiralled into war.

On April 17, the organisation reported that 17 employees of the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) were “stranded” inside buildings on Republic Street in Omdurman, Khartoum state. A number of them were reported to have been evacuated on April 19.

In its latest statement, the SJS called on the RSF to immediately leave radio and television headquarters so that journalists can continue to do their work. “Their adoption of military bases puts the historical national legacy inside the two organs at risk of destruction and sabotage.”

The SJS also appealed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) “to intervene with the warring parties in Sudan” in order to save radio and television libraries.

“We call on the organisation, out of its responsibility to preserve human heritage… to save this legacy from being lost.”

Since fighting erupted in Sudan last month, supporters from both sides have threatened journalists for criticising human rights violations by both sides, according to the SJS.

On May 16, Al Jazeera reported that six people have been told that they will be hurt or killed if they continue reporting abuses in Sudan.

The SJS expressed its concerns about “new threats against men and women journalists” in a statement on May 11, after lists began circulating on social media calling out journalists for betraying the SAF and inciting violence against them. According to journalists who spoke to Al Jazeera, members of the National Congress Party claim “anyone who appears neutral is against the army and with the RSF.”

Earlier this month, a group of paramilitaries of the RSF raided the office of El Hirak El Siyasi newspaper in Khartoum and a Sudanese photojournalist was shot in the back.

Following its reformation last year, the SJS said that the press and media in Sudan have faced unprecedented targeting since the October 2021 coup.

Before April 15, Sudan was already ranked 151 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index, and 29 out of 100 (i.e. ‘Not Free’) in Freedom House’s Internet Freedom Index. “Anti-journalist predators enjoy total impunity and are protected by the authorities” in Sudan, states Reporters Without Borders on its website.