Mr BANDT (Melbourne) (13:42): Shortly after the overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir in April this year, Sudan's military assumed power and began ruthlessly killing peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators. The violence began on 3 June, when the army launched a dawn massacre across the country targeting the protesters, leading to months of bloodshed. Last month a transitional agreement was signed between the military and the protesters, which was a significant step forward. But some protesters have been concerned and sceptical that under the agreement military that was killing people in cold blood won't suddenly stop overnight. I am concerned that the military still retains a great deal of power and I understand also maintains a veto power and the ability to operate without oversight. According to pro-democracy protester Sara Abdelgalil: We still have not achieved what we are fighting for … Omar al-Bashir is not there, but the regime itself is still there. I was heartened to read that the protests have been led by young people and women, fighting for their democratic rights. I was inspired by an image of Kandaka standing on a car, and, although my heart is broken by the mass violence, I want the pro-democracy protesters to know that I stand here today, in the parliament of Australia, in support and in solidarity with them. I urge the new Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, who was appointed by the forces of freedom and change, to uphold the slogan of the democracy protesters: 'freedom, peace and justice'. I urge the military to refrain from further violence and for a peaceful transition of power to the people of Sudan, who have been oppressed for so long and have lost so much in their struggle for democracy.