September 26, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Friday has adopted a draft resolution demanding the Sudanese government to conduct an independent public enquiry on the killing of protestors in September 2013 and March 2014 and agreed to renew mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan for a further 12 months under agenda item 10.
- UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Demonstrations broke out in several Sudanese states in September 2013 following the government’s decision to lift fuel subsidies. Rights groups said that at least 200 people were killed but the government put the death toll at 85.
The UNHRC, in a draft resolution presented by Ethiopia on behalf of the group of African states on Friday, expressed grave concern at excessive use of force, including the lethal shooting of demonstrators in September 2013 and March 2014, calling upon the Sudanese government to launch an independent public inquiry and to refer its findings to the judiciary within its legal system to ensure justice and accountability related to those incidents.
It also expressed concern “at reports of restrictions on the media, pre- and post-publication censorship, seizure of newspapers, the banning of some journalists and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and of peaceful assembly”.
The UN body urged the Sudanese government to further its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular to ensure freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and to respect the human rights of all individuals, including human rights defenders and members of civil society organizations.
It condemned “the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law reported in the States of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile and by all parties, including sexual and gender-based violence, the indiscriminate bombings of humanitarian facilities, such as the reported aerial bombing of a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders, and the targeting of civilians and humanitarian aid workers, and urges all parties to resort to peace”.
The UNHRC further demanded that the Sudanese government investigate claims about human rights abuses in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, encouraging all parties to allow access for vaccination to conflict-affected areas and to facilitate humanitarian access to the needy populations.
It also urged the Sudanese government to intensify its efforts to address humanitarian needs in conflict-affected areas.
It also decided to renew the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a period of one year under agenda item 10, to continue his engagement with the Sudanese government to assess, verify and report on the situation of human rights.
On Thursday, the chair of the UNHRC in Geneva announced that Irish-born Thomas Edward will become the new independent expert on human rights in Sudan to succeed Mashood Badrain.
The draft resolution urged the Sudanese government to continue full cooperation with the independent expert and allow him “effective” access to all parts of the country and meeting with all concerned bodies, demanding the office of the high commissioner to provide the necessary financial and human resources to enable the independent expert carry out his mandate.
The UNHRC also encouraged the national dialogue initiative launched by the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir last January, praising progress of the dialogue process with the support of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) headed by Thabo Mbeki.
It urged the Sudanese government to fulfill its pledges with regard to the release of political prisoners, encouraging all Sudanese stakeholders to ensure the creation of a conducive environment for inclusive, transparent and credible dialogue.
The draft resolution welcomed government efforts to combat human trafficking including enactment of national legislations such as Sudan’s recently approved human trafficking act, demanding cooperation with regional and international stakeholders in this regard.
It also urged Sudan to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief and comply with its constitutional obligations and also its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in this respect.
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