The Sudanese Alliance for Rights condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the death of Badr Al-Din Bushra—also known as “Buksh”—while in the custody of the General Intelligence Service (GIS) in El-Obeid, North Kordofan. His death on 8 June 2025, following nearly six months of unlawful detention, systematic torture, and denial of medical care, marks a grave violation of the rights and dignity of a Sudanese citizen at the hands of state institutions.
Badr Al-Din, a former employee of the judiciary in North Kordofan, was arrested in January 2025 by the GIS after sharing a post he had seen on social media in a private WhatsApp group. Despite the completion of investigations within the first week of his detention and no evidence found to support any charge—the prosecution, in collusion with the GIS, refused to proceed to trial. His defence team repeatedly demanded that he be brought before a court to secure a court-ordered medical examination, but these legal avenues were systematically blocked. Subjected to prolonged arbitrary detention, torture, and deprived of food and medical care, Badr Al-Din died in custody on 8 June 2025.
These actions amount to multiple and serious violations of Sudan’s national legal framework. The Sudanese Criminal Procedure Act guarantees all detainees the right to appear promptly before a competent court and explicitly prohibits torture and unlawful detention. The prolonged denial of medical care and refusal to bring the detainee before a judicial authority violated both the procedural and substantive guarantees enshrined in this law. Furthermore, these actions breach the Interim National Constitution of Sudan, which upholds the rights to personal liberty (Article 29), protection from torture (Article 33), and the right to a fair trial (Article 34). The deliberate obstruction of justice and disregard for these fundamental guarantees show a clear pattern of using state institutions to target and eliminate political opponents.
At the international level, the Sudanese authorities are in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—to which Sudan is a party; particularly Articles 6, 7, 9, and 10, which guarantee the right to life, freedom from torture, the right to liberty and security, and the humane treatment of detainees. These abuses also violate Sudan’s obligations under the Convention against Torture (CAT) and defy international standards outlined in the UN Nelson Mandela Rules for the treatment of prisoners.
At the regional level, the death of Badr Al-Din Bushra violates the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly Articles 4, 5, and 6, which safeguard the right to life, protection from inhuman treatment, and liberty. The Robben Island Guidelines, adopted by the African Commission, also call on states to prevent torture and uphold the dignity of persons in detention, principles blatantly disregarded in this case.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights holds the General Intelligence Service, the Public Prosecution, and all responsible state actors fully accountable for this unlawful killing. We demand an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Badr Al-Din Bushra’s death, the prosecution of all perpetrators, and the institution of concrete safeguards to prevent further abuse of authority.
We also call on the United Nations, the African Union, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to engage proactively on this case and to support efforts to bring justice to the victim’s family and all detainees suffering under similar conditions.
The death of Badr Al-Din Bushra is not an isolated incident; it is a reflection of the institutionalised culture of impunity within Sudan’s security apparatus. Justice must not be delayed. The time for accountability is now.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights9 June 2025