Peace. Justice. Accountability.

Human Rights Violations Against Artists During the Armed Conflict in Sudan

Joint Research Initiative African Centre for Peace and Justice Studies (ACPJS) Sudanese Music Research Center (SMRC) Reporting Period: 15 April 2023 – September 2024 Background Since the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, the country’s cultural ecosystem has experienced profound disruption. Artists—including musicians, singers, theatre practitioners, and independent cultural professionals—have faced escalating risks amid shrinking civic space and the militarization of public life. Recognizing culture as an essential civilian sphere and a cornerstone of freedom of expression, the African Centre for Peace and Justice Studies, in collaboration with the Sudanese Music Research Center, conducted a documentation-based study to examine patterns of violations affecting civilian artists during the conflict period through September 2024. Scope of the Report The study focuses on: • Documenting violations committed against artists as civilian actors. • Assessing the impact of armed conflict on artistic freedom and cultural production. • Recording cases of threats, harassment, persecution, censorship, and forced displacement affecting cultural workers. • Examining the complex contexts in which some artists aligned with parties to the conflict and the professional and social consequences that followed. Methodology The research employed a qualitative documentation framework that included: • Verified interviews with affected artists inside Sudan and in exile. • Cross-referencing testimonies and secondary documentation for fact validation. • Contextual legal analysis referencing international humanitarian law and standards protecting freedom of expression. • Confidential case documentation with strict safety and ethical safeguards. Limitations The report excludes musicians formally affiliated with military institutions, focusing exclusively on civilian artists and independent cultural professionals. Significance The study contributes to: • Recognizing artists as a vulnerable civilian category during armed conflict. • Advancing dialogue on the protection of cultural actors in wartime. • Strengthening evidence-based advocacy and future accountability mechanisms. Conclusion This report documents a critical phase in Sudan’s cultural history, where artistic spaces shifted from platforms of dialogue and expression to environments of heightened risk. Through systematic documentation, the research underscores the urgent need to safeguard artistic freedom and protect cultural professionals as integral actors in social cohesion and peacebuilding—even amid armed conflict.