COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
Keep Civic Space Healthy
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws. For information about our methodology, click here.
For more information and analysis by region, click here.
The COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker is a collaborative effort by the ICNL, ECNL, and our global network of partners, with generous research support from the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin. This is an ongoing effort, and we welcome you to email us at adeblock@icnl.org and simona@ecnl.org to share additional resources.
Lockdown in Major Cities
Authorities announced a three-week lockdown in Khartoum and Omdurman. Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, but only for limited periods. Individuals will be allowed limited movement within their neighborhoods to purchase necessities. A nighttime curfew is in effect nationwide from 8pm to 6am, and a ban on domestic travel remains in place.
الإغلاق ÙÙŠ المدن الكبرى
أعلنت السلطات عن إغلاق لمدة ثلاثة أسابيع ÙÙŠ الخرطوم وأم درمان. ستظل الخدمات الأساسية مثل Ù…Øلات السوبر ماركت والصيدليات Ù…ÙتوØØ©ØŒ ولكن Ù„Ùترات Ù…Øدودة Ùقط. سيÙØ³Ù…Ø Ù„Ù„Ø£Ùراد بالتØرك بصورة Ù…Øدودة داخل Ø£Øيائهم لشراء الضروريات. يسري Øظر التجول الليلي ÙÙŠ جميع أنØاء البلاد من الساعة الثامنة مساءاً Øتى الساعة السادسة صباØاً، ولا يزال Øظر السÙر الداخلي سارياً.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 18 Apr 2020
Issue(s): Movement
Type: order
Emergency Order No. 1 of 2020 Declaring a Public Health Emergency
The order declares a "state of public health emergency" in Sudan due to the coronavirus pandemic. The order criminalizes "disseminating incorrect statements or information, including rumors, through any means of publication or misleading the authorities regarding the pandemic." The order also criminalizes a failure to quarantine and interference with transportation of those suspected of being infected with COVID-19. The order criminalizes as well non-compliance with lockdown measures by "being present in public places" and failing to maintain social distance in several different contexts. Non-compliance with authorities requesting medical examinations is also criminalized. The order affords police the authority to close public places in violation of the order, to seize vehicles, to detain and arrest persons in violation, and to take "all necessary measures" to implement the order.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 12 Apr 2020
Issue(s): Assembly, Disinformation, Emergency, Press Freedom, Expression, Privacy, Movement
Type: order
Curfew and Ban on Public Gatherings
The government imposes a nighttime curfew nationwide from 10pm to 6am. The curfew followed a nationwide ban on mass gatherings, instituted on March 20.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 24 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly, Movement
Type: order