The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Thursday asked the government of Sudan to protect its people’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Since mid-December 2018, demonstrations have been taking place in multiple cities across Sudan. As of January 6th, 816 people have been arrested, including “journalists, opposition leaders, protestors and representatives of civil society.” The government has confirmed 24 deaths but other reports have that number doubled.

There have also been reports of security forces following protesters into hospitals and firing tear gas and live ammunition inside.

Sudan, a member of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, “is obliged to take all necessary measures intended to prevent arbitrary deprivations of life by their law enforcement officials,” Bachelet said. Bachelet has called for the release of the detained protesters and called for the protection of their rights. She also stressed that the UN is ready to send in a team to help Sudan meet its obligations.

This protest movement started in response to the nation’s economic crisis. US sanctions on the country were recently lifted, these sanctions were long blamed for the economic struggles of the country. The impetus of the protests was the government’s ending of fuel and wheat subsidies.

The protesters are now calling for President Omar al-Bashir to step down. He has ruled the country for 30 years.