The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) strongly condemns the recent vandalism of two churches in Port Sudan. According to media reports, unidentified individuals defaced both a Protestant and an Orthodox church by spray-painting religious graffiti on their outer walls, including the Islamic Shahādah, a declaration meaning “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” These acts constitute a deliberate targeting of Christian places of worship and represent a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion, thought, and belief.
At a time when Sudan is already deeply fractured by the ongoing war, our society cannot afford another tool of division — especially one rooted in religion. These attacks risk inflaming tensions and widening the already-deep social fractures created by the conflict. Sudanese communities have suffered enough; they do not need further attempts to erode coexistence or weaponise faith to fuel hostility.
These attacks violate key human rights instruments, including Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief and to manifest it in worship, observance, and practice; Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; and Article 8 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantees freedom of conscience and the free practice of religion without discrimination.
SAR reminds the de facto government of its binding responsibility to protect freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, and to safeguard all places of worship without discrimination. Failure to do so not only endangers minority communities but also reinforces a dangerous culture of impunity.
We call on the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident and to ensure accountability for those responsible. Protecting religious diversity is essential to rebuilding trust and strengthening the social fabric of Sudan.
We urge local leaders, civil society, and all Sudanese citizens to reject hate-motivated acts and reaffirm the principles of coexistence, mutual respect, and unity. Sudan’s diverse religious and cultural heritage is a source of strength; it must be defended, not undermined.
SAR stands in solidarity with the affected congregations and reiterates its unwavering commitment to defending freedom of worship and advocating for a Sudan where every person can practise their faith without fear.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR)
2 December 2025
