Sudan affirms commitment to promote human rights

Sept 17, 2005 (NEW YORK) — Sudanese Foreign Minister, head of Sudan’s delegation to the UN’s World Summit, Mustafa Osman Ismail, affirmed that Sudan respects and asserts human rights according to its values and religious principles.

Addressing the UN’s General Assembly summit Friday, Ismail said Sudan follows with great concern the proposals to reform the human rights institutions, top of which is the proposal to set up a human right council, warning against policies of selectivity, double standard as well as exploiting human rights to achieve political gains.

Ismail further called for intensifying efforts to get rid of the weapons of mass destruction, specially the nuclear weapons, as well as allowing the amicable use of nuclear energy and controlling illegal proliferation of small-sized and light weapons.

Ismail further reviewed the latest developments in the Sudanese arena, including the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, explaining that a national-unity government will be set up in the coming days amid wide participation of most of the Sudanese political parties.

As for the issue of Darfur, the minister explained that efforts are being exerted to bring to an end the crisis in Darfur, pointing out to the efforts of the African Union in this connection, urging the international community to support these efforts toward peaceful solution of the crisis.

He expressed Sudan’s gratitude to the support of the international community to the efforts of peace as well as extending humanitarian assistance during the period of war, referring to the commitments of the donors at Oslo conference to support the rehabilitation of the war-affected areas and efforts to resettle the refugees and displaced people.

(ST)