Sharia is an Arabic word meaning way or path. In Arabic, the collection 'Sari at Allah' (God's Law) is traditionally used not only by Muslims but also Christians and Jews, sometimes translating expressions such as ToratElohim . In modern English it often refers to an Islamic concept, the wide body of islamic laws. Sharia deals with many aspects of day to day life, including politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, hygiene,and social issues.The Nimeiri administration declared the imposition of a harsh brand of Sharia law in1983. Popular opposition against political actions such as the disslution of the Sudanese Parliament and legally inflicted punishments such as amputations and hangings, resulted in a coup against Nimeiri in 1985.
His frequent coserelationships with Sudanese Govts resulted in the famous association against him in the 1986 votes, where all political parties decided to withdraw their nominees and keep only one nominee against Turabi, which led to the loss of Turabi being part of the only democratic govt. in Sudan during last four decades.
1989 Coup
On June 30, 1989, a coup d'etat by General Omar al-Bashir and supported by Turabi and his followers led to severe repression, including purges and executions in the upper ranks of the army, the banning of associaions, political parties and Independent news papers and the imrisonment of leading leading political figures and journalists.
In 1994 a report issued by Human Rights Watch/Africa, conducted by Gaspar Biro, a Hungarian Law Professor and the United Nations' special envoy to Sudan in 1993 found the Sudanese Govt. to be practicing "widespread and systematic torture" of political deyainees,
Once uncommon in the Sudan, torture was now widespread, specially in the south. Non-Muslim women were raped , their chidren taken from them, paper bags filled with chili powder were placed on the men's heads, and some were tied to anthills, testicles were crushed and burned by cigarettes and electric charges , according to 1994 report By Human rights watch/Africa.
