The United States, Britain, Norway and Canada say they are concerned by “credible reports” that Sudan’s security forces have used live ammunition against demonstrators demanding that President Omar Bashir step down.
In a joint statement issued late on Monday in Khartoum, the four nations urged all parties to avoid violence or the destruction of property while affirming the right of the Sudanese people to peacefully protest to express their “legitimate grievances.”
Amnesty International meanwhile said it had “credible reports” that Sudanese police have killed 37 protesters in clashes during the anti-government demonstrations that erupted last week across much of the country.
It said the use of lethal force by security forces against unarmed protesters was “extremely troubling” given that more protests were planned on Tuesday.
A coalition of independent professional unions has called for a march on the presidential palace in Khartoum later on Tuesday to submit a petition demanding that President Omar Bashir, who rose to power in a 1989 military coup, step down. Two of Sudan’s largest political parties called on their supporters to take part.
