Sudan: Information on the treatment of Coptic Christians particularly since the military coup of 30 June 1989
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SDN8590 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sudan: Information on the treatment of Coptic Christians particularly since the military coup of 30 June 1989, 1 May 1991, SDN8590, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac3938.html [accessed 20 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
rights violations, extralegal executions; Sudan
The only information available to the IRBDC on Coptic
Christians concerns Girgis Butrous, who was executed on 5
February 1990. According to Reuters, "a police car and a
lorryload of riot police accompanied about 3,000 mourners who
followed the coffin to a cemetary. The marchers, almost all
Coptic Christians like Butrous, shouted "God Save Us" but no
incidents were reported." (Reuters 5 Feb. 1990)
On religious persecution in general, the Sudan
Monitor reports that "non-Muslims in the Sudan are tolerated
provided they are not conspicuous. By conspicuous is meant an
individual who is successful, vocal or otherwise highly visible
due to his/her occupation or position in society. Typical
examples are: church leaders, regional administrators,
businessmen, politicians, professionals" (Sudan Monitor 1
July 1990) Furthermore, "there is a direct correlation between
one's degree of success, if from a minority religious group, and
one's risk of persecution, for non-Muslims as well as Muslims
with secular ideas. For example, a successful professional from a
minority religious group could be at the same risk level as a
Muslim secularist stating his/her opinion openly." (Ibid.)
All other discriminatory practices of the current regime against
non-Muslim communities continue unabated - notably in the fields
of education, health care and employment. The report also states
that political and religious differences are of paramount
importance when considering which individuals are likely
candidates for persecution.
A 15 October 1989 memorandum sent by leaders of
Christian Churches to the Chairman of the National Dialogue
Conference on Peace Issues, discusses current restrictions on
Christian churches and their followers in Sudan. (BBC 1 December
1989) Since the introduction of Sharia Islamic Laws in 1983,
governments in power have used state organs to facilitate
activities of Islamic organizations. Consequently, while the
latter are permitted to utilize the state media apparatus,
Christian churches are denied access. (Ibid.)
Christian churches report that the introduction of
Sharia has resulted in the imposition of Islamic customs and
traditions on Muslims and non-Muslims alike. To that end,
immigration authorities have reportedly prohibited Christian
women from travelling abroad without the written permission of a
"Muharram," a male guardian. (Ibid.)
REFERENCES
BBC. Summary of World Broadcasts from SPLA Radio. 1 December
1989.
Reuters. 5 February 1990, BC Cycle. "Sudan, Defying International
Pressure, Hangs Currency Dealer." (NEXIS)
Sudan Monitor. July 1990. "Persecution in the Sudan."
