The violence by the Sudanese security forces against unarmed protesters “is utterly shameful”. So said Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Protests against the coup in the North African country have already killed 15 people as a result of the crackdown by the security forces.
“It is utterly shameful that live ammunition was fired against protesters on (Thursday) and that following our repeated calls on the military and security forces not to use disproportionate force against protesters,” Bachelet said in a statement.
Bullets killed at least 11 of the 15 protesters killed on Wednesday from the security forces. It was the bloodiest day since the October 25 coup. According to a pro-democracy medical union, the soldiers targeted “the protesters’ head, neck or torso”.
“Gross violations of international rules”
Bachelet denies that “according to reliable medical sources”, 80 of the more than 100 wounded were shot in the chest and head. “Shooting at a crowd of unarmed protesters, killing dozens and injuring many more, is abhorrent and clearly intended to suppress public expressions of opposition. It amounts to gross violations of international rules for the protection of human rights,” the former president of Chile added.
In the coup at the end of last month, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan overthrew the Sudanese civilian government and took power himself. Dozens have been killed in civilian protests against the coup since then.
