True sovereignty is inseparable from respect for rights.
7th Anniversary of December Revolution and 70th Anniversary of Sudan’s Independence
The Sudan Rights Watch Network commemorates the 7th anniversary of the December Revolution and the 70th anniversary of Sudan’s independence on this dual occasion, recognizing them as pivotal milestones in the struggle for human rights and dignity, the rule of law, and the establishment of a just and respectful state based on citizenship. As we recall these two moments, the Network emphasizes that their essence lies not only in their historical symbolism but also in the pressing human rights questions they raise concerning the nature of the state, the responsibilities of those in power, and the rights of individuals and groups throughout the country.
Sudan’s independence in 1956 was the culmination of a political, military, and civil struggle against foreign colonialism, but it failed to achieve true legal and institutional independence for society after liberation. The nation-state that emerged after independence failed to establish a legal framework that protects the right to life, liberty, and equality before the law, nor did it succeed in guaranteeing economic, social, and cultural rights, or in managing diversity justly and wisely. This structural failure led to recurring cycles of despotism, armed conflict, and impunity.
The revolutionary movement of December 2018 represented a pivotal moment for human rights, in which citizens from all walks of life expressed their absolute and systematic rejection of the violation of all fundamental and secondary rights, and their aspiration for a free, stable, and democratic civil state where all public freedoms are protected, the right to organize, express oneself, and assemble peacefully is respected, and justice and non-discrimination are guaranteed. December was a popular declaration that rights are not a favor granted by the authorities, but rather an inherent and non-negotiable entitlement.
However, the subsequent trajectory of the revolutionary movement revealed the fragility of the official commitment to human rights standards. Violations continued, the dismantling of systems of oppression, tyranny, and corruption stalled, the independence of the judiciary was undermined, civic space was restricted, and respect for the rule of law declined. Then came the war of April 15, 2023, which constituted the most widespread violation of human rights in the history of modern Sudan, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, forced displacement, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the use of starvation and siege as weapons of war.
In light of this reality, the Sudan Rights Watch Network affirms that protecting human rights is not a political choice, but a legal and moral obligation incumbent upon all parties to the conflict, and upon the state as the entity responsible for respecting, protecting, and enforcing rights. This includes an explicit commitment to international human rights law and international humanitarian law, ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians, humanitarian workers, and human rights defenders of all backgrounds and affiliations.
The Network also affirms that human rights work is based on an integrated system of rights and responsibilities. On the one hand, victims have the right to truth, justice, reparation, non-repetition, and an end to the culture of impunity. On the other hand, society has the right to knowledge, accountability, and transparency. On the other hand, human rights actors have a duty to provide independent and professional documentation, defend victims without selectivity, reject the politicization of rights, adhere to ethical standards, protect the safety of witnesses, and ensure they are not endangered.
On the 70th anniversary of Sudan’s independence, the network affirms that true sovereignty is inseparable from respecting, upholding, and promoting rights. A truly independent state is meaningless if it fails to protect its citizens, tolerates impunity, or trades justice for false stability. It also clearly states that any political process that does not place human rights at its core and guarantee the genuine participation of women, youth, and affected communities will only reproduce the same crisis repeatedly.
In light of all this, the Sudan Rights Watch Network calls for the December Revolution to be reconsidered as a comprehensive human rights and liberation project, not a closed event. It demands an immediate end to the war, accountability for all perpetrators and those responsible for grave violations, and the establishment of a genuine and effective civilian transition based on the rule of law, judicial independence, and the guarantee of fundamental freedoms. It firmly affirms that the struggle for independence is not yet complete, and that human rights will remain its fundamental standard and guiding principle, a path that must never be deviated from.
December 22, 2025
Sudan Rights Watch Network