The Sudanese Alliance for Rights strongly condemns the brutal assassination of lawyer Zakaria Ahmedai on the evening of Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at his home in the Al-Qatatih neighbourhood of Mayo District, south of Khartoum. According to reliable reports, members of the Special Forces affiliated with the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade stormed his home, beat him with batons, and shot him with live ammunition, resulting in his immediate death. His personal belongings were looted, and the perpetrators fled.
Mr Ahmedai was an independent lawyer with no affiliation to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). His assassination is a deliberate attack on a civilian legal professional and part of a disturbing trend of violence targeting those who defend human rights and the rule of law in Sudan.
This act constitutes a grave violation of both Sudanese and international law, including:
Sudanese Law Violations
• Sudanese Criminal Act (1991) – prohibiting intentional homicide (Article 130), bodily harm (Articles 139–142), and theft (Article 174).
• Advocacy Act (2014) – guaranteeing protection for lawyers to carry out their duties without intimidation, interference, or violence.
• Interim National Constitution of Sudan (2005) – guaranteeing the right to life (Article 28), human dignity, and the protection of legal professionals.
International Law Violations
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – to which Sudan is a State Party:
• Article 6: Right to life must be protected by law; arbitrary deprivation of life is prohibited.
• Article 9: Right to liberty and security of person; protection from arbitrary arrest and violence.
• Article 14: Right to a fair trial and legal representation – requires protection of lawyers.
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) – prohibits torture and cruel treatment by state or state-aligned actors.
• Geneva Conventions (Common Article 3) – prohibits violence to life and person, particularly murder, against civilians in non-international armed conflicts.
• UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers:
• Principle 16: Governments must ensure lawyers can perform all professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference.
• Principle 17: Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, authorities must provide adequate protection.
• Principle 18: Lawyers shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or other sanctions for actions taken in accordance with recognized professional duties.
We note with grave concern that this is not an isolated incident. Since the Sudanese Armed Forces and their allies, including the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, took control of parts of Jebel Awliya and surrounding areas, there has been a surge in violent acts against civilians, including professionals and defenders of rights.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights:
• Demands a full, impartial, and independent investigation into the assassination of Zakaria Ahmedai, with international oversight if necessary.
• Urges the Sudanese authorities to hold all perpetrators accountable, including those who gave orders or enabled such actions.
• Calls on the international community, UN bodies, and regional mechanisms to press for accountability and reinforce protection for legal professionals and human rights defenders.
• Stands with the legal community, the family of Zakaria Ahmedai, and all Sudanese who continue to speak out against injustice at great personal risk.
We honour the memory of Zakaria Ahmedai and denounce the impunity that threatens to silence the voices of justice in Sudan.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights
30 April 2025