SUDANESE doctors vowed to continue the struggle against the tyrannical regime of President Omar al-Bashir, undeterred by shocking allegations of prisoners being tortured in detention centres across the country.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) said its members would not be cowed and described the growing movement to bring down the government as “a battle for survival.” 

Protests against Mr Bashir’s administration are continuing, organised by the Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella group of trade unions supported by organisations including the Sudanese Communist Party.

More than 40 people have been killed in clashes with the security forces, according to human rights groups.

Abubakr Osman Youssef, a 62-year-old fruit vendor, became the latest victim after being tear-gassed in the capital Khartoum today.

The CCSD alleged that the security forces were torturing victims to the point of death, with many suffering severe organ failure, in particular failure of the kidneys.

In a previous report, the CCSD documented systematic torture in the Kassala state detention centre. 

It alleged that Ahmed el-Kheir, a teacher from Khashm El Girba, had been brutally tortured and killed there by National Intelligence and Security Service officers. 

The authorities claimed Mr Kheir became unwell during interrogation. 

However, following investigations, the CCSD reported witnesses saying that the teacher had had a stick inserted into his anus by his captors.

His brother Saad said his body bore indications of beatings and torture. “The hands, the stomach, the back, the kidneys, and the anus showed signs of bruising,” he said.

The CCSD said it had evidence of further acts of torture against at least four detainees by security services in Wad Medani.

They included Dr Yousef al-Hawri, a pharmacist who was arrested during an anti-government protest and was brought to hospital with severe renal failure brought on by torture, muscular strain and dehydration.

Two doctors, Omer al-Sadiq and Mohaned Bushra, were tortured and showed symptoms of kidney failure, but their condition is stable and they are being monitored, the CCSD said. 

“Targeting doctors and health personnel will not deter us from continuing what we have started. Now, the battle with the regime is a survival battle. A battle in which we presented martyrs, wounded and detainees with peace and love.” 

The CCSD vowed “that this revolution continues until its end, challenging peacefully all kinds of violence.”