ICC Note:

European Union envoy for religious freedom Jan Figel explains to the Chairman of Sudan’s Legislation and Justice Committee Ahmed El Tijani that conflicts over land ownership leads to demolition of churches in Africa. Reported by All Africa, Figel also asked about freedom of religion and belief in Sudan. El Tijani responded that Sudanese constitution enshrines freedom of belief and does not impose any religion on people. However, in the last few years, the Sudanese government has stopped issuing new church construction permits and has been ordering the demolition of several church structures. In this last month alone, twenty-seven churches and church buildings were supposed to be destroyed. A court appeal is delaying the order.

03/22/2017 Sudan (Christian Daily) – The European Union envoy for religious freedom Jan Figel flew to Sudan to meet with political leaders there as well as to ask about the situation of Christians and the demolition of churches in the African country.

On Thursday, Ahmed El Tijani, the chairman of Sudan’s Legislation and Justice Committee at the National Assembly released a press statement saying Figel had asked about the demolition of churches in the country. He explained to the EU envoy that those churches have been demolished because of conflicts over land ownership and not for religious reasons, All Africa relays.

“Some mosques have been demolished for the same reason,” said El Tijani.

In addition, Figel reportedly asked about freedom of religion and belief in Sudan. In reponse, El Tijani told him that the Sudanese constitution enshrines freedom of belief and does not impose any particular religion on the people.

In the last few years, the Sudanese government has stopped issuing permits for the construction of new churches and has been ordering the demolition of several church structures. Last month, 27 churches and church buildings in Khartoum were supposed to be destroyed but a court appeal delayed the order.

Despite El Tijani’s explanation, the Hudo Centre and the Sudan Democracy First Group claim that the Sudanese government is targeting their freedom of religion.

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