Bombings by Sudan Kill Children in Nuba Mountains

Washington

In response to the Government of Sudan bombing civilians in the Nuba Mountains, killing six children,  Freedom House issued the following statement:

“Freedom House strongly condemns the Government of Sudan’s bombing,” said Vukasin Petrovic, director of Africa programs. “The people of South Kordofan have endured systemic human rights violations, indiscriminate bombings, and destruction of their homes and land. The international community should call on Sudan’s government to immediately stop perpetrating violence in the conflict regions.” 
 
Background:
On May 1, 2016, aerial bombardment in Heiban, South Kordofan led to the deaths of six children between the ages of 4 to 12 years. The following day, two women were killed by barrel bombs. 

The Government of Sudan has conducted indiscriminate and targeted aerial bombing of civilians in Darfur since 2013, and in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011, acclerating the displacement of entire communities. In addition, government forces and government-created militias in the three areas have been accused of using sexual violence against civilians. The Government of Sudan has blocked humanitarian groups’ access to the affected regions. 

To read about the developing events on Twitter, follow the hashtag #Heiban_Massacre. 

Sudan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2016, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016, and Not Free in Freedom on the Net 2015.