2007

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Report:

Religious Atmosphere:

• Religion plays a prominent role in the complex system of politicial alliances. Northern Muslims have dominated the political and econmic system since independence in 1956.

• Following the civil war between the north and the south, the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) became the dominant political power in the south, and is the main coalition partner with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

• The Interim National Constitution (INC) provides for freedom of religion throughout the entire country, but disparities in the legal treatment of religious minorities exist between the north and south.

• The INC preserves Shari'a as a source of legislation in the north.

• Extremist Groups:

• Popular Defense Force (PDF) - This is a government-sponsored group that is larger and better equipped than the standing army. This group it known to have its ranks filled with the most fanatical Muslim fighters. They often engage in actions against the rebel forces in the South. Since these actions are done with government support or in coordination with government forces, their actions are listed with those of the government.

• It is reported that the government gives weapons to various Muslim tribes to increase their effectiveness in conducting slave and cattle raids against non-Muslim peoples in the South. These Arab militias, which often use the names Mujahadeen (holy warriors) or Marshaled often fight alongside government forces. Their actions are also listed with those of the government.

Government:

• The Government supports Islam by providing funds for construction of mosques throughout the north. 

• There is no penalty for converting from another religion to Islam but converting from Islam to another religion is punishable by imprisonment and even death in the north.
         
• Blashphemy and defaming religion are punishable by imprisonment in the north, although these restrictions are rarely enforced.In the south, there are no penalities for apostasy, blasphemy, or defaming religion, and proselytizing is common.
           
• Shar'a apostasy penalities within the legal code limit Christian missionary activities in the north.
          
• Under the state-mandated curriculim, all schools in the north are required to teach Isalmic education classes from preschool through university.
           
• There is considerable social pressure on non-Muslims in the north to convert to Islam.
           
• Many southern Christians living in the north are economic migrants, and due to many factors, they suffer from social, educational, and job discrimination.

Year 2009 Update:

July 15, 2009 Sudanese authorities flogged several girls, including Christians, for wearing pants in Karthoum. The action of the government officials violate the international human rights standards and the provisions of the Comrehensive Peace Aggrement.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

• Pray for the Christians of Sudan that they may be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all. Pray for a long-term solution to the current civil war and an end to all the atrocities happening there.
• Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and well being of the Christian community in Sudan. Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN?s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents.
• Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Sudan asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at ICC@persecution.org.