Sudan boycotts UN rights meeting over dismissed ambassador
February 1, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has postponed the examination of Sudan’s human rights record to Wednesday instead of Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
The council’s decision came hours after the boycott of the session by the Sudanese government to protest the accreditation of a pro-democracy ambassador dismissed by Gen al-Burhan for his rejection of the coup of January 25, 2021.
“Sudan’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the third time on Wednesday, 2 February 2022, in a meeting that will be webcast live,” said the UNHRC on Tuesday.
This review marks the end of the UPR third cycle. Sudan’s first and second UPR reviews took place in May 2011 and May 2016.
In a statement extended to the Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission in Khartoum said they would not take part in the process and would not cooperate with its outcome.
“The UPR Working Group’s continued accreditation of the former Sudanese Representative to the United Nations Office and international organizations in Geneva, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, after dismissal, is a clear violation of Sudan’s sovereignty,”
Ben Abi Talib was among twelve ambassadors that al-Burhan dismissed from office for supporting anti-coup protests. Before to leave the former Prime Minister Hamdok struggled to keep them but al-Burhan obstructed his efforts.
The UNHRC said in a statement on Tuesday that Howaida Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice would lead the delegation of Sudan for Wednesday meeting.
The three-country representatives serving as rapporteurs for the review of Sudan are Gambia, Marshall Islands, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
The review will be based on the national report prepared by the Sudanese government, reports of independent human rights experts and groups and information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations and civil society groups.
(ST)