UN urges Sudan to adopt comprehensive approach

Following the conclusion of his visit to Sudan, UN Special Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani urged the federal government ‘to adopt a comprehensive approach to durable solutions’ for the displaced in the country, according to a press release from 22 November. Beyani suggested that the approach facilitates voluntary returns, as well as local integration and resettlement. In addition, the rapporteur encouraged the government and the international community to integrate displacement-affected communities into urban planning, development, and livelihood projects. He asserted that the people he met in particular in Darfur emphasized the need for security, services and livelihood opportunities – including access to their land, in areas of return. The rapporteur added that the Doha process included the participation of the displaced and that it thus essential that they also now be fully engaged in all the phases of its implementation. Beyani stressed that some key challenges remained in the area of internal displacement in Sudan, notably the timely and effective implementation of relevant agreements, and improving security, services, livelihoods, access to justice and respect for human rights, which are central to peace and durable solutions. He noted that open, predictable, and sustainable humanitarian access to affected populations was fundamental in order to assess humanitarian needs and to survey intentions with regard to durable solutions by the displaced, so that proper planning could take place. Lastly, the rapporteur expressed he ‘regretted’ not being able to visit some of the displaced originally scheduled in North Darfur, explaining this happened due to the interlude of a national holiday a day after his arrival.Photo: UN Special Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani (UN)Related: UN denied access to Kassab camp (20 November 2012)