EU call on Sudan to lift press curbs

The European Union (EU) has called on Sudan “to abstain from acts and statements that might derail the process of National Dialogue”. In a statement on Wednesday: the EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission accredited to Sudan as well as the Head of Mission of Norway say that they have closely observed and taken note of the launching and evolution of the Presidential Initiative for national dialogue having conducted broad consultations with a wide range of political parties, youth organisations, civil society groups, intellectuals and other stakeholders on the process of national dialogue in Sudan. We welcome the efforts by President Mbeki and the African Union High Level Panel on Sudan to promote comprehensive peace negotiations and a democratic transformation. The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission as well as the Head of Mission of Norway stand ready to provide technical support to the dialogue, in the areas of constitutional reform and confidence building among the stakeholders. We would welcome an inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue that aims to deliver enduring peace, genuine democratic transformation and full respect for human rights in Sudan. The success of such a dialogue process depends on the establishment of trust and cooperation between all political forces and all the Sudanese citizens. The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission as well as the Head of Mission of Norway call on all parties to support the objectives of this national dialogue and to abstain from acts and statements that might derail the process. In this regard, we express great concern about recent actions, specifically measures imposing renewed limits on freedom of the press, and the freedoms of expression, association, participation, assembly and religion. The arrest and continued detention of opposition leader El Sadig El Mahdi in particular risks having an adverse effect on the process of national dialogue. We therefore call on the Sudanese government to continue to work for peace, a meaningful national dialogue and full respect for human rights and basic political freedoms.”Picture: EU flagRelated:Sudanese General warns of ‘decisive battle’ with media (28 May 2014)Press ‘warned’ in Sudan (21 May 2014)