UN Human Rights Council calls on Sudan for independent inquiry

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a draft resolution in Geneva on Friday calling on the Sudanese government to conduct an independent enquiry into the killing of protestors in September 2013, and March 2014. It also agreed to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan for another year. The UNHRC expressed grave concern at the use of excessive force, including the lethal shooting of demonstrators, and called on the Sudanese government to launch an investigation and refer its findings to the judiciary to ensure justice and accountability for the incidents that occurred. On 23 September 2013, massive street protests erupted in the country against the lifting of fuel subsidies, announced by the Sudanese government the day before. The authorities used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters. According to activists, more than 200 people died in Sudan’s capital. On 11 March this year, a University of Khartoum student was fatally hit by a bullet, and other students were injured, when security forces attacked a peaceful demonstration by the students against widespread attacks by paramilitary troops on rural areas in Darfur. Media curbs The UN human rights agency 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”. It 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 organisations. It also urged the Sudanese government to intensify its efforts to address humanitarian needs in conflict-affected areas, condemning “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 of human rights abuses in the camps for the displaced people, urging all parties allow access for vaccinations to conflict-affected areas and to facilitate humanitarian access to needy populations. New independent expert The draft resolution urged the Sudanese government to continue its full cooperation with the independent expert and allow him “effective” access to all parts of the country and concerned bodies, demanding the Office of the High Commissioner to provide the necessary financial and human resources to enable the Independent Expert on Human Rights in Sudan to carry out their mandate. It was proposed on Thursday that the Irish Thomas Edward will succeed the current independent expert, Mashood. A. Baderin. The Sudanese Minister of Justice, Mohamed Bushara Dosa, however, said on Saturday that Khartoum has objected to the appointment of Edward, on the grounds that Sudan had not been consulted. He said that Sudan has requested the extension of Baderin’s term. Dosa called on the UNHRC to end the mandate of the independent expert, and rejected the accusations of committing serious violations of freedoms and human rights, particularly in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. He further rejected accusations by the independent expert that Khartoum was dragging its feet in investigating the September 2013 protests, and pointed out that the government has submitted to him a detailed report on measures undertaken with respect to those events. Robust resolutionThe EU delegation to the UN commented that one of its key objectives for the 27th UNHRC session was to achieve a robust resolution on Sudan. “This has been achieved,” the EU delegation noted, “with a text that contains strong language on human rights violations, and calls for accountability for perpetrators of such acts. Crucially the resolution also extends by one year the mandate of the independent expert who, in addition to providing technical assistance and capacity building, has been mandated to assess, verify, and report on the situation of human rights.” In its statement to the UNHRC on 16 September, the EU stated that it “is extremely concerned about the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Sudan”. “The situation is compounded by the general lack of accountability. The gravity of the situation requires a renewed and increased response by this Council; we therefore support the establishment of an effective mechanism to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Sudan.” (Sources: UNHCR, EU-UN.Europa, Sudan Tribune) File photo: Justice minister Mohamed Bushara Dosa at the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, 24 September 2014 (Jean-Marc Ferré/UNHRC) Related:UN Expert’s human rights report on Sudan; EU ‘extremely concerned’ (25 September 2014) UN HRs Council to discuss Sudan; Change Now releases list of detainees (24 September 2014) Opposition memos to UN HRs Council, new Sudan security detentions (22 September 2014) UN human rights expert voices concerns on Sudan (24 June 2014)