BRUSSELS, 19 January 2022, (TON): At least 7 demonstrators were killed, while many others were injured during protests in Khartoum on 17 January. This brings the total number of deaths during protests to more than 70 since 25 October 2021.

Over the past months, the European Union and the international community have repeatedly called on the military authorities to refrain from violence against peaceful demonstrators. Once again, these calls have fallen on deaf ears.

Military authorities have been limiting the freedom of expression and the freedom of association since the coup d’état last year. Mubashir’s license was withdrawn in Sudan. Freedom of expression and information are fundamental rights that must be guaranteed.

Democracy, which the military authorities claim to build, cannot exist without freedom of the media.

Through disproportionate use of force and continued detention of activists and journalists, the military authorities are demonstrating that they are not ready to find a negotiated and peaceful solution to the crisis.