Sudan: Legal proceedings against Rehab Mubarak
20 April 2026
The OIAD is deeply concerned by the Sudanese authorities’ decision to prosecute lawyer Rehab Mubarak, who is accused of “spreading false information detrimental to national security”. An arrest warrant has been issued against her, aimed at curbing the dissemination of content deemed harmful to the interests of the State and the image of the army.
Ms Mubarak is a member of the Emergency Lawyers collective, which is committed to documenting human rights violations committed in the context of the conflict in Sudan. In this capacity, she is actively involved in gathering and disseminating information regarding abuses attributed to the various parties to the conflict, including the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Authorities accuse her of disseminating false information likely to undermine public order. Sources also indicate that she has reportedly been disbarred from the Sudanese Bar Association for “alleged breaches of professional ethics”.
Ms Mubarak denies these charges and asserts that the legal proceedings against her are directly linked to her work documenting human rights violations. She condemns the desire to silence critical voices and highlights that lawyers and defenders working on these issues have regularly been subjected to pressure and intimidation since the start of the conflict.
The legal proceedings against the lawyer are a form of judicial harassment targeting lawyers committed to defending human rights.
The Observatory strongly condemns the proceedings brought against Ms Rehab Mubarak.
The Observatory calls on the Sudanese authorities to guarantee the safety of lawyers committed to documenting human rights violations in Sudan, in accordance with the Havana Principles.
The Observatory calls on the Sudanese Bar Association to review any disciplinary decision with due regard for the guarantees of independence, fairness and the right to an effective remedy, where applicable.
The Observatory urges the Sudanese Bar Association to establish protection and early warning mechanisms for lawyers at risk due to their professional activities.
