A/HRC/42/63 Kordofan and Blue Nile States. The team noted that people who had already been receiving humanitarian assistance now required greater support, and that an increasing number of Sudanese people would require life-saving support in the months to come. It expressed serious concerns over livelihoods, targeted violence against displaced people and other forms of rising ethnic tensions. Internally displaced people in a number of locations in Darfur had reported that Arab nomads had threatened them with violence to prevent them from cultivating their farmlands.7 28. The humanitarian country team highlighted that civil unrest and operations by security forces had negatively affected humanitarian operations during the period under review. Humanitarian organizations had faced increased challenges bringing in supplies – including medicines and medical supplies – through Port Sudan and Khartoum airport, mainly due to lengthy customs clearance procedures and delays in obtaining required permits. There were challenges in moving supplies across state lines. In addition, intermittent violent protests and the looting of humanitarian supplies at internal displacement settlements, particularly in Darfur, had disrupted operations. The economic crisis hampered aid efforts, as insufficient financial liquidity affected humanitarian operations and timely responses, while fuel shortages at field sites and the price of goods and services, including transport, continued to increase.8 B. Violations of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 29. Soon after the start of the major demonstrations in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities in December 2018, reports emerged of alleged acts of violent repression of protesters by Sudanese security forces. The Independent Expert received reports that on 25 December, security forces that were deployed in large numbers across Khartoum used live ammunition to disperse crowds of protesters, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities. Snipers reportedly used civilian premises, including schools, to target protesters. The Government spokesperson stated during a press conference held in Khartoum on 27 December that 19 people had been killed and 107 people arrested during the demonstrations. The spokesperson said that most of those arrested belonged to the Sudan Liberation ArmyAbdul Wahid, a Darfuri armed movement, which the movement’s leader denied. 30. The Independent Expert received information that during a meeting between President al-Bashir and the country’s police leadership on 30 December 2018, which was recorded and broadcast on the Sudan TV and Al-Hadath networks, 9 the President cited verses of the Qur’an to justify the use of force against the protests, which were publicly described as acts disturbing the public order. The President further accused unnamed parties of seeking to destabilize security. Similarly, former First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha, a leader of the ruling National Congress Party, stated in a media interview broadcast on the Sudania 24 TV channel on 8 January that National Congress Party militia members had participated in the repression of the protests, and described “shadow brigades” willing to sacrifice their lives for the regime. 31. In a press release issued on 28 December, the Independent Expert, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, urged a halt to the alleged excessive use of force by security forces that had reportedly resulted in the killing of peaceful protesters. In the press release, the experts urged the Government of the Sudan to conduct independent and thorough investigations into the incidents. 10 32. The Independent Expert continued to receive reports of excessive use of force by security forces as the protests continued into 2019. Various sources reported that on 9 January, riot police had allegedly fired tear gas at protesters who were calling for the President’s resignation as they marched towards the National Legislative Council in 7 8 9 10 Humanitarian country team in the Sudan, “Key messages on the humanitarian situation” (June 2019). Ibid. Available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4IpRQxgjZY, posted on 8 January 2019. See www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24049&LangID=E. 7