Sudan

Equal Rights Trust Celebrates International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Today is International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which has established itself as the single most important date for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons to unite globally and is aimed at decision makers, the media and public to promote LGBTI rights. In the spirit of unity and promoting these rights, we’ve put together some snapshots of our relevant work.

Equal Rights Trust promotes safe and effective human rights reporting in Sudan and South Sudan

Since 2010, the Equal Rights Trust has supported Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) Network, the only platform of its kind which provides an essential means for journalists to report safely and effectively on hate speech, discrimination and violations of freedom of expression in Sudan and South Sudan. During this time, the Trust has helped the network to develop from an informal group of a few like-minded journalists in Sudan to a network of more than 300 members, friends and associates working in both countries.

South Sudan

We are working with journalists in South Sudan to promote equal enjoyment of freedom of expression, and to combat discrimination and hate speech, in an environment where both the rights to freedom of expression and to non-discrimination are under threat.

Our achievements include:

Equal Rights Trust Publishes "In Search of Confluence: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Sudan"

Nairobi, 1 October 2014

A major new report revealing the scale of discrimination in Sudan was released today by the Equal Rights Trust in partnership with the Sudanese Organisation for Research and Development (SORD).

In addition to legal analysis, the report, In Search of Confluence: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Sudan, presents original direct testimony from over 260 persons discriminated against on the grounds of gender, religion, belief, race, ethnicity, political opinion, disability, and health status.

Media Advisory: Nairobi press conference - Wed 1 Oct

On Wednesday 1 October 2014, the Equal Rights Trust will hold an embargoed press conference in Nairobi, Kenya at 0830 hrs to launch its major new report In Search of Confluence – Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Sudan, written in partnership with the Sudanese Organisation for Research and Development.

The report, which follows four years of field research and interviews, reveals the sheer scale of discrimination suffered by Sudanese people today under al-Bashir’s rule, on the grounds of religion or belief, race and ethnicity, political opinion, gender, disability and health. 

Among a number of new findings and insights, it is also the first and only external source to provide testimony from gays living underground in Sudan gathered by an independent international organisation.

ERT Urges Sudanese Parliament to Repeal Indecency Law

The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) has called on the Parliament of Sudan to repeal Article 152 of the 1991 Criminal Act because it breaches the country’s human rights obligations.

In a letter sent on 17 September 2009, ERT expressed concern about the discriminatory application of Article 152, which has been used to target women and non-Muslims, and has disproportionately affected both categories of persons. The letter also echoes concerns that whipping, the prescribed punishment for breaching Article 152, constitutes cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment.