Sudan postpones visit of UN expert on human rights
January 21, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan has postponed sine die the first visit of the UN Expert on Human Rights in Sudan as the military authorities continue the bloody crackdown on peaceful protesters.
In a statement released on Friday, Adama Dieng announced the postponement by the Sudanese authorities of the visit which was due to take place from 22 to 27 January 2022.
“In view of (the deteriorating human rights situation), I felt my visit would have been timely – also considering that all the preparations were finalized in consultation with the authorities, including the issuance of visas for myself and my team,” said Dieng.
The Senegalese diplomat was appointed as UN Expert on Human Rights in Sudan by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in November 2021 after a resolution of the UN Human Rights Council.
In line with his mandate, the independent expert has to pay special attention to victims, ensure a gender perspective and engage with all relevant parties, including civil society.
He has to submit a report about the human rights situation to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2022.
The expert called on the Sudanese authorities to communicate the dates for my next visit as soon as possible.
Dieng is a former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide.
73 people were killed during the protests after the coup of October 25, 2021, according to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors.
On Friday evening, the security forces in Madani of Al-Jazeera State fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the funeral procession of a youth who died of his bullet wounds after his participation in a protest on January 17.
(ST)