Students camped out in a wooden cage in front of King’s College this Saturday (02/03) to call on the UK government and Cambridge University to do more to support Sudanese refugees.

The annual demonstration, organised by Cambridge University Amnesty International Society (CUAIS), saw campaigners take 2 hour shifts in the cage while shouting their demands to passers-by.

Sudan is currently embroiled in a civil war, following a power struggle within the country’s military leadership. It is estimated that over 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, and a further eight million displaced.

In an email to society members, CUAIS stated their aims to “draw attention to the humanitarian situation” and “push for measures to house those fleeing war in Sudan and promote increased humanitarian aid during the time in the CAGE”.

The student group went on to criticise the UK government’s lack of action, stating: “The British government has an obligation to support some of the most vulnerable people in the world as part of their international obligations.”

The former home secretary, Suella Braverman, came under fire last year when she ruled out introducing “safe and legal routes” for Sudanese asylum seekers and rejected a petition calling for a visa scheme to protect those affected by the war.

Helena Kondak, Campaign Officer for CUAIS, told Varsity: “It’s [Sudan] been one of the most silenced conflicts going on so far. It’s been going on for 9 months now, with 6 million displaced and many more killed, and there’s been almost no media coverage of it.”

“The University has said absolutely nothing about Sudan so any support at this point is fantastic. They did quite a bit for Ukrainian refugees which was amazing and it just should be extended to all refugees of all conflicts,” they said.

Another demonstrator told Varsity: “There is also just an absolute widespread perception of brown people in the media not being seen as the adequate victims in the media. The reason we talk so much about Israel and Gaza, and it’s great that we do, is because the issues pertain to us directly, it’s US funded, it’s UK funded.”

The University of Cambridge has been contacted for comment.