19.09.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The INC provides for freedom of religion throughout the entire country, but disparities in the legal treatment of religious minorities exist between North and South; there are no legal remedies to address constitutional violations of religious freedom by government or private actors ("International Religious Freedom Report 2008") [ID 24774]

"The INC provides for freedom of religion throughout the entire country, but disparities in the legal treatment of religious minorities exist between the north and south.

The INC preserves Shari'a as a source of legislation in the north.

The Constitution of Southern Sudan provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies of the GoSS contributed to the generally free practice of religion.

The INC and the Constitution of Southern Sudan both deny recognition to any political party that discriminates on the basis of religion.

There are no legal remedies to address constitutional violations of religious freedom by government or private actors."

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The government has codified limited aspects of Shari'a law into criminal and civil laws, with penalties dependent on the religion of the accused ("International Religious Freedom Report 2008") [ID 24777]

"The Government has codified limited aspects of Shari'a law into criminal and civil laws, with penalties dependent on the religion of the accused.

For instance, the consumption of alcohol is punishable by 40 lashes for a Muslim, and 20 lashes for a Christian;

however, there were no reported incidents of this punishment being applied during the reporting period."

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Religious groups are required by law to register with the government as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) ("International Religious Freedom Report 2008") [ID 24778]

"Religious groups are required by law to register with the Government as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), although this requirement is not enforced.

Religious organizations must register as nongovernmental, nonprofit organizations to claim exemption from taxes and import duties.

All religious groups must obtain permits from the national Ministry of Guidance and Social Endowments, the state Ministry of Construction and Planning, and the local planning office before constructing new houses of worship."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Government continues to place restrictions on non-Muslims, non-Arab Muslims and Muslims from tribes or sects not affiliated with the ruling party; authorities in the North continue to restrict Christian activities; churches decline to register to be recognised or to assemble legally ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23222]

"The interim constitution and law provide for freedom of worship throughout the country; however, the government continued to place restrictions on non-Muslims, non-Arab Muslims, and Muslims from tribes or sects not affiliated with the ruling party. [...]

While the government generally allowed non-Muslims to worship freely in approved places of worship, authorities in the north continued to restrict Christian activities. [...]

The interim constitution of Southern Sudan also provides for freedom of worship in the 10 states of Southern Sudan, and the government of Southern Sudan generally respected the rights of southerners to practice the religion of their choice.

Religious organizations and churches were subject to the same restrictions placed on nonreligious corporations.

Although the law requires religious groups to register to be recognized or to assemble legally, registration reportedly was no longer necessary, and churches, including the Catholic Church, declined to register."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Harassment of, discrimination against and pressure on people due to their religious affiliation throughout Sudan ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23225]

"Some non-Muslim businessmen complained of petty harassment and discrimination in awarding of government contracts and trade licenses.

Christians reported pressure on their children in school; teachers and media characterized non-Muslims as nonbelievers.

There also were reports that some Muslims received preferential treatment regarding limited government services, such as access to medical care, and in court cases involving Muslim against non-Muslim.

However, non-Arab Muslims and Muslims from tribes and sects not affiliated with the ruling party, such as in Darfur and the Nuba Mountains, stated that they were treated as second-class citizens and were discriminated against in government jobs and contracts in the north and government-controlled southern areas.

For example, the employment application of the Ministry of Energy and Mining emphasizes nationality, creed, and tribe; Muslims associated with the NCP were given preference in government employment."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Legal facts about freedom of religion throughout Sudan: Whereas Government of Southern Sudan generally respects rights of Christians and Muslims, Government of National Unity places restrictions on Christians in the North ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21231]

"The 2005 Interim National Constitution (INC) provides for freedom of religion throughout the entire country, and there was some improvement in the status of respect for religious freedom in parts of the country [...].

However, regional distinctions in the INC negotiated as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have resulted in disparities in the treatment of religious minorities in the North and South. The INC preserves Shari'a as a source of legislation in the North, while the Constitution of Southern Sudan establishes "the traditional laws, religious beliefs, values, and customary practises of the people" as a source of legislation in the South.

Whereas the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) generally respected the rights of Christians and Muslims in the 10 states of the South as provided for in its separate 2005 Constitution of Southern Sudan, the Government of National Unity (GNU) continued to place restrictions on Christians in the North. The National Congress Party (NCP) that dominates the GNU embraces Islam as the basis for the country's laws, institutions, and policies."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Overview: The three largest religious groups in Sudan (Muslims, Traditionalists, Christians); details on Christian Churches throughout the country ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21232]

"Islam predominates in the North, while traditional indigenous beliefs (animism) and Christianity are prevalent in the South. Some Muslim leaders estimate the Muslim population to be more than 32 million, or above 80 percent of the total population.

Almost all Muslims are Sunni, although there are significant distinctions between followers of different Sunni traditions, particularly among Sufi brotherhoods. Two popular brotherhoods, the Ansar and the Khatmia, are associated with the opposition Umma and Democratic Unionist Parties, respectively. There is a small Shi'a community.

Traditionalists are believed to be the second largest religious group in the country, although there are reports that many converted to Christianity or followed a syncretic form of these two religious beliefs.

Christians are generally considered the third largest group. The Roman Catholic Church estimates the number of baptised Catholics at six million, including small Melkite and Maronite communities in the north. Anglicans estimate five million followers in the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the dissident Reformed Episcopal Church.

There are very small but long established groups of Orthodox Christians in Khartoum and other northern cities, including Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Christians. There are also Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox communities in Khartoum and eastern Sudan, largely made up of refugees and migrants.

Other Christian groups with smaller followings in the country include the Africa Inland Church, the Armenian (Apostolic) Church, the Sudan Church of Christ, the Sudan Interior Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Sudan Pentecostal Church, the Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (in the North), the Presbyterian Church of the Sudan (in the South), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Sudan."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Legal framework for religious groups: All groups are required to register as NGOs, are required to obtain permits before constructing new houses of worship; some Christian groups refuse to register as NGOs out of fear of government interference, remain sceptical that government will allow new churches to be built ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21244]

"Religious groups are required by law to register with the government as NGOs, although this requirement did not appear to be enforced.

Religious organisations must register as nongovernmental, nonprofit organisations to claim exemption from taxes and import duties; however, some registered Christian groups were required to pay taxes and import duties.

Some of the largest Christian religious groups have historically refused to register out of fear of government interference.[...]

There are no restrictions on religious groups' ability to acquire property, but all groups are required to obtain permits from the national Ministry of Guidance and Endowments, the state Ministry of Construction and Planning, and the local planning office before constructing new houses of worship.

This requirement did not appear to be enforced in the South; enforcement in the North was sporadic. Permits for new mosques in the North are generally issued, although Muslim leaders complained the process was cumbersome and time-consuming.

In the past, permits for new churches have been either denied outright or delayed for years. However, the Khartoum State Ministry of Planning and Public Utilities issued permits for three new churches since July 2005, the first permits issued for new churches since 1975. Many Christian leaders remained sceptical that the Government would allow new churches to be built. [...]

Obtaining permits to build new houses of worship remained a long and tortuous process, despite past improvements.

In addition, the GNU pressured existing churches and Christian facilities in central Khartoum to move to less conspicuous locations on the outskirts of the capital. Some Christians believed this approach to be a less public, less confrontational alternative to the previous government's practice of confiscating church property."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Ongoing restrictions on religious freedom in 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19289]

"The interim constitution and law provide for freedom of worship throughout the country; however, the government continued to place restrictions on non-Muslims, non-Arab Muslims, and Muslims from tribes or sects not affiliated with the ruling party. The NCP, which originally came into power with a goal of Islamization, treated Islam as the state religion, declaring that Islam must inspire the country's laws, institutions, and policies. While the government generally allowed non-Muslims to worship freely in approved places of worship, authorities in the north continued to restrict Christian activities. The government had not formally established the Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Non-Muslims in Khartoum State, as mandated by the CPA, at year's end.

The constitution of Southern Sudan also provides for freedom of worship in the 10 states of southern Sudan, and the Government of Southern Sudan generally respected the rights of southerners to practice the religion of their choice.

Religious organizations and churches were subject to the same restrictions placed on nonreligious corporations. Although the law requires religious groups to register to be recognized or to assemble legally, registration reportedly was no longer necessary, and churches, including the Catholic Church, declined to register.

There were reports that security forces harassed and at times threatened to use violence against persons on the basis of religious beliefs and activities; it was unclear whether the harassment was for religious or political reasons. [...]

In the south, Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional indigenous beliefs generally worshiped freely; however, many of the region's Muslim residents had departed voluntarily over the years. Although the Government of Southern Sudan officially favored secular government, Christians dominated the bureaucracies. Local government authorities often had a very close relationship with local Christian religious authorities.
"

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Improvement in situation of religious freedom ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17549]

"The July 9, 2005, Interim National Constitution provides for freedom of religion throughout the entire country, and there was some improvement in the status of respect for religious freedom in the period covered by this report. However, regional distinctions in the constitution, negotiated as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have resulted in disparities in the treatment of religious minorities in the North and South. Whereas the Government of Southern Sudan generally respected the rights of Christians and Muslims in the ten states of the south as provided for in its separate constitution, signed on December 5, 2005, the new Government of National Unity (GNU) continued to place restrictions on Christians in the North. [...]

Under the Interim National Constitution, Sudan is a "multi-religious state" and "an all embracing homeland wherein…religions exist in harmony"; moreover, the constitution is based on the principle that the country's "religions, beliefs, customs, and traditions are a source of moral strength and inspiration for the Sudanese people." However, because the constitution preserves the role of Shari'a in the north, it effectively establishes Islam as the state religion in that region. Neither the Interim National Constitution nor the constitution of Southern Sudan establish a state religion in the South, although traditionalism and Christianity are dominant. All courts in the South are secular. [...]

The adoption of the Interim National Constitution and the constitution of Southern Sudan removed Shari'a as a source of legislation in the South. The Interim National Constitution also stated that non-Muslims would not be adversely affected by the application of Shari'a law in the North. Some church property confiscated by previous governments has been returned to it original owners, though many claims remain outstanding.
"

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Information on religious affiliation ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17553]

"Precise religious data were not available; self-reported membership totals in particular religious groups could not be confirmed, and outdated census figures may not be accurate. In general Islam predominated in the North, while traditional indigenous beliefs (animism) and Christianity were prevalent in the South. Some Muslim leaders estimated the country's Muslim population to be more than thirty-two million, or above 80 percent of the total population; almost all Muslims in the country were Sunni, with a small Shi'a community, although there were significant distinctions between followers of different Islamic traditions. The most significant divisions within the Sunni community occurred along the lines of the Sufi brotherhoods. Two popular brotherhoods, the Ansar and the Khatmia, were associated with the opposition Umma and Democratic Unionist Parties, respectively.Traditionalists were believed to be the second largest religious group in the country, although there were reports that many had converted to Christianity or followed a syncretic form of these two faiths. Christians were generally considered the third largest group. The Roman Catholic Church estimated the number of baptized Catholics at six million, including small Melkite and Maronite communities in the north. Anglicans estimated five million followers in the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the dissident Reformed Episcopal Church. There were small but long established groups of Orthodox Christians in Khartoum and other northern cities, including several thousand Coptic Orthodox and a few hundred Greek Orthodox Christians. There were significant Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox communities in Khartoum and Eastern Sudan, largely drawn from refugees and migrants. Other Christian groups with smaller followings in the country included the Africa Inland Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Sudan Church of Christ, the Sudan Interior Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Sudan Pentecostal Church, the Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (in the North), the Presbyterian Church of the Sudan (in the South), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Sudan. The size of the country's Jewish community decreased drastically over the past twenty years, when mass emigration led to the closure of the synagogue in Khartoum; however, a small group of Jews still lived in the capital."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Monitoring of religious activities at mosques and churches ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17560]

"The National Intelligence and Security Service routinely monitored religious activities at mosques and churches throughout the country, often posing as members of the congregations. Christian leaders acknowledge that they usually refrain from preaching on political or other sensitive topics to avoid harassment by the authorities. Some Muslim imams prefer to avoid political topics in their preaching as well though others seem to show less restraint."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Religious law: registration process, freedom of worship ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17563]

"Religious groups are required by law to register with the government as non-governmental organizations, although this requirement did not appear to be enforced. Religious organizations that do not register as non-governmental, non-profit organizations, cannot legally claim exemption from taxes and import duties. Some of the largest Christian religious groups have historically refused to register out of fear of government interference. Religious groups that have opted to register, such as the Coptic Church, have been exempt from property taxes. The April 2006 Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act requires all foreign NGOs, including religious groups, to register with the Government. It ostensibly applies to both Christian and Muslim groups, but there has been insufficient time to see how it is applied in practice. In prior years, the SCC had complained that a similar act, which this one supersedes, was unfairly applied. The new Interim National Constitution that took effect on July 9, 2005, provides for freedom of worship throughout the entire country; the constitution of Southern Sudan, signed on December 5, 2005, also provides for freedom of worship in the ten states of the South. Although the GNU did not directly interfere in the right of citizens to practice the religion of their choice, it restricted to some extent when, where, and how Christians in the North were permitted to worship. The Government of Southern Sudan generally respected the rights of southerners to practice the religion of their choice."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Relations between religious groups ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17566]

"Relations among religious groups improved during the period covered by this report. Dialogue between Christian and Muslim groups continued under the auspices of the Sudan Inter-Religious Council (SIRC), a nongovernmental organization (NGO) supported by the Government of National Unity, and the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), comprising Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant groups. The SIRC supported peace and reconciliation efforts between Christians and Muslims, sponsoring a conference on the role of religious leaders in peace building with the U.S. Institute of Peace in July 2005 and hosting an interfaith prayer service during the archbishop of Canterbury's visit to the country in February 2006. [...]

Religion is an important factor in society, though it often overlaps with other racial, ethnic, and linguistic factors. Nevertheless, relations between individuals of different religious backgrounds were often good on a personal level, though government policy in the past had frequently undermined an atmosphere of religious tolerance. The signing of the CPA and the adoption of the Interim National Constitution marked a change in these policies and contributed to improved relations between Muslims and Christians."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Prosecution of crimes committed for religious reasons ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17568]

"The Government of Southern Sudan has established a special court in Juba, the Southern capital, for prosecuting crimes committed for religious reasons, particularly by Christians seeking revenge against Muslims. There were reports that the court has tried several cases, and the Muslim leaders in Juba stated that it appeared to offer adequate protection to Muslims. There was no equivalent institution in the North."

Document(s): Open document

03.2006 - Source: US Commission on International Religious Freedom

Religious freedom conditions have significantly improved in the South ("Policy Focus on Sudan") [ID 17214]

"In the South, the Nuba Mountains, and other transitional areas formerly contested by government and Southern rebel forces, religious freedom conditions have significantly improved since the signing of the CPA. North-South peace has dramatically decreased the severe abuses of religious freedom and of other universal human rights that characterized military operations by Sudanese government forces and pro-government militias in the South and other areas of fighting during the civil war. Christian leaders in the major southern center of Juba reported a general lifting of the climate of fear of government security forces that had prevailed in the city during the war. A major Christian religious event was being advertised publicly during the Commission visit. On the down side, Muslims with whom the delegation met in Juba expressed concern about their prospects, especially in light of the anti-Muslim and anti-Northern violence that followed the announcement of Dr. John Garang’s death."

Document(s): Open document