Sudan constitution panel endorses Intl charters and conventions on HR

KHARTOUM, June 23, 2005 (SUNA) — The national constitution commission on Thursday approved the inclusion of the international charters and accords concerning human rights and freedoms which Sudan has ratified, to be part of the Interim Constitution, as stipulated in article 27, a spokesperson for the Commission said on Thursday.

John Garang, leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement, right, shakes hands with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir after signing the Sudanese reconciliation accord in Cairo between the Sudanese government and the National Democratic Alliance, Saturday, June 18, 2005. (AP).

Ambassador Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, co-spokesperson of the commission, has pointed out that this was carried out taking into consideration the observations that have been submitted by the delegation of the Democratic National Alliance with regards the rights document.

He explained in the daily press briefing on Thursday, that the endorsement of this article in the Interim Constitution was sufficient and gives a chance for the application of those charters and conventions before the Sudanese courts.

Ahmed said the general committee has also approved the addition of a clause to article 27 of the interim constitution stipulating that rights and freedoms shall not be confiscated or violated by any legislation.

He revealed that a good spirit has prevailed during the work of the General Committee after receiving the view points of the Alliance and including them in the interim constitution which has been considered as a considerable political gain.

He added that the committee of the commission would continue its work and that it would study the observations provided by the Alliance on the independence of the judiciary and on the protection of the constitution and the constitutional court, its powers and its role in the protection of the constitution.

Yasser Arman, the co-spokesperson of the Commission, has said that one of the great profits that came out of the involvement of the Alliance in the Commission was that they come with the inclusion of articles related to the respect of rights and freedoms in the constitution.