![Izdihaar Juma, a dedicated humanitarian, poses with volunteers at the Oncology Center in Merowe, northern Sudan, on April 11, 2024. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FB_IMG_1730067631350-802x450-1.jpg?resize=802%2C450&quality=89&ssl=1)
Juma had been representing a group of Darfuri men detained under Sudan’s controversial “foreign (or strange) faces” law. Witnesses reported that she was forcibly taken to a secluded location where she endured brutal beatings, resulting in severe injuries to her hands, feet, face, and eyes.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Juma was eventually found and rescued by locals. She was promptly transported to Merowe Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery to repair the damage caused by the attack.
The Darfur Bar Association strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a heinous crime against a dedicated human rights defender who they said has been instrumental in providing essential aid and legal support to displaced persons across Sudan’s “secure states”.
“We strongly condemn the kidnapping, torture, and assault of human rights defender Ms. Izdihaar Juma Saeed, coordinator of the displaced persons aid initiative in Merowe and Karima, and a partner of the Darfur Bar Association. This heinous act took place immediately after she left the court,” the statement said.
“The association also calls on the judicial authorities to assume their responsibilities, pursue the perpetrators, arrest them, and apply the law,” the statement added, expressing regrets over “the dangerous situation that has reached the point of threatening the security and safety of human rights defenders while carrying out their work and duties.”
The Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces, also known as Taqaddum, expressed deep concern over the attack, labeling it a cowardly act that undermines human rights and justice. The group emphasized that the attack was not only directed at Juma but also at all human rights defenders and humanitarian workers.
“This cowardly act, which took place after her release from the Karima court, represents a blatant attack on human rights defenders and on all human values and justice. Professor Izdihaar was kidnapped by a criminal group, who took her to a remote area, where she was subjected to a brutal physical assault and brutal torture, resulting in serious injuries,” the statement reads.
“This brutal attack is not only directed at Ms. Izdihaar personally butt is an attack on all human rights defenders and on humanitarian work as a whole. Ms. Izdihaar has been a pioneer in providing humanitarian and legal assistance to the displaced and to victims of arbitrary arrest in Merowe and Karima, especially the Darfuris who were arbitrarily arrested under the ‘Foreign Faces’ law,” it added.
While the perpetrators of the attack remain unidentified, some speculate that the Al-Bara bin Malik Brigades, an Islamist militant group linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces, may be involved. The group has a history of targeting individuals who dissent from the government and Islamist figures.
The Darfur Bar Association called upon judicial authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident, apprehend the culprits, and bring them to justice. They also highlighted the perilous conditions faced by human rights defenders in the region, urging for increased protection and support.
Juma, a seasoned lawyer with decades of experience, has been a prominent figure in the Sudanese legal community. She previously served as the head of the SPLM caucus in the Northern State Legislative Assembly.
