police brutality

Stop Security Forces from Torturing and Unlawfully Killing Protesters

Originally published on September 16, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan

Goal: Investigate the murders and mistreatment of protestors by police

Burdened with a deteriorating economy and rising inflation, the Sudanese people have taken to the streets to voice their discontent. In response, police and other security forces have repeatedly used excessive and unnecessarily lethal force to suppress the masses. Operating with impunity, security forces have detained, tortured, and killed people attempting to practice free speech. The government of Sudan must investigate these human rights violations and actively prosecute the officers responsible for these crimes.

In a recent report, Amnesty International documented four Sudanese protests that occurred between 2012 and 2014. During the 2013 protests, at least 185 people were killed as police fired live ammunition at them. Most of the casualties had been shot in the head or chest, but many had been shot in the back. One of the wounded protesters had been shot in the head at point blank range.

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Stop Abusing Human Rights Activists and Union Leaders

Originally published on August 19, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Abdul Hamid, President of Bangladesh

Goal: End the violence against human rights defenders and union leaders supporting workers’ rights

The police and pro-government groups are attacking union leaders participating in a hunger strike in Bangladesh. Human rights activists attempting to give medical supplies to the striking workers have been beaten and arrested. The government of Bangladesh needs to investigate these attacks and charge the guilty officers of excessive force.

At least 1,200 workers have been on a hunger strike since July 28, 2014. The workers are protesting in Hossain Market and demanding three months of unpaid wages. Human rights activists and doctors visit the workers, providing medical treatment and saline drips.

On August 6, police and members of a pro-government workers’ union barricaded the market to prevent doctors and human rights defenders from helping the striking workers. Targeting activists and union leaders, the police and pro-government groups savagely beat several human rights defenders and arrested them. Instead of engaging in retaliatory violence, the workers continued their hunger strike.

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