Sharia (Islamic law) is the foundation of Sudan’s legal system, and leaving Islam is punishable by death; Christians who talk about their faith can be accused of an “act that encourages apostasy”. Christianity is seen as Western, making it a political target. Several Christians have been imprisoned in recent years, charged with “spying”. Sudan’s President, Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes including “genocide”, is believed to want to “rid” Sudan of Christianity. In 2016 the government announced plans to destroy 27 churches, claiming they were in violation of the designated purposes of the land they were built on.
Sudan demolishes another church, but MPs block school on Sundays
The Sudanese government demolished another church on Wednesday (2 August), the day after Members of the Khartoum state parliament rejected an order by the Minister of Education for all Christian schools in the capital to open on a Sunday. The Baptist Church in Omdurman, across the Nile, just west from […]
Archbishop of Canterbury speaks ‘strongly’ to Sudan President of religious freedom for Christians
The advent of the world’s newest country, South Sudan, in 2011 has not been without its impact. Not only has it spawned a civil war and one of the world’s biggest current humanitarian crises, but also the need for a new Province in the global Anglican Communion. This weekend, the […]
Sudan church council leader summoned before Criminal Court
In the latest development in a long-running legal dispute, the chair of Sudan’s Evangelical Community Council has been summoned before the Criminal Court in Bahri (Khartoum North) on Monday (17 July). Rafat Samir, who was appointed chair of the Council in 2012, is accused by his predecessor of trespassing, criminal […]
Sudan sanctions extended for three months
The US has extended its sanctions against Sudan for another three months, saying “more time is needed” to review whether Sudan has done enough to merit their removal. Sudan’s President, Omar Bashir, responded by suspending his negotiating committee until the end of the three months. The committee has been in […]
US lawmakers call for continued sanctions against Sudan as Bashir plans Russia visit
A bipartisan group including 53 US lawmakers has urged President Donald Trump to delay the permanent lifting of sanctions on Sudan, ahead of tomorrow’s (12 July) deadline for a decision to be made. Meanwhile, Sudan’s President, Omar Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes including […]
Sudan defends human rights record, saying it ‘enjoys religious freedom and unprecedented openness’
In response to concerns raised over its human rights record by the US embassy in Khartoum, Sudan has insisted that the country “enjoys religious freedom” and “unprecedented openness”, reports press agency AFP. The US embassy’s comments came ahead of talks next week about the potential lifting of 20 years of […]
Sudan’s rights record in spotlight ahead of US talks on easing sanctions
The US Embassy in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, says it is still “very concerned” about Sudan’s human rights record, including restrictions of religious freedom, ahead of talks next week about the potential lifting of economic sanctions. In a statement on its Facebook page on 30 June, the Embassy said it […]
Sudanese woman who escaped 100 lashes for adultery and death for apostasy, three years on
(Full transcript of video at bottom.) Three years ago today, a young Sudanese mother was freed from prison after narrowly escaping being hanged, first having been lashed 100 times for adultery. The delay on carrying out Mariam Ibrahim’s double sentence was due only to the fact that she was heavily […]
Sudan churches risk letter to government on ‘systematic violations’, including church demolition
The Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) has written an open letter to the Khartoum government protesting “the systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms”, including the recent demolition of one of their churches in the Suba area of the capital, Khartoum. The SCOC represents about 220,000 of about two million Christians […]
Christianity not welcome in Sudan, warns jailed pastor’s lawyer
Christianity is “not welcome” in Sudan, according to the lawyer who defended a church leader and an activist abruptly released from jail last month. Muhanad Nur, who represented Rev. Hassan Abdulraheem Taour and Darfuri activist Abdumonem Abdumawla, told the Sudanese news service Nuba Reports: “It seems as if every week […]
