Over 50 groups call for continued public debate on human rights situation in Sudan

May 22, 2022 (GENEVA) – The United Nations Human Rights Council should ensure public debates on Sudan’s human rights situation continue being held, as the de facto military authorities consolidate their power and human rights violations continue, over 50 human rights groups said on Monday.

The appeal is contained in a petition to the Human Right Council ahead of its 50^th regular session, which is scheduled to be held from 13 June to 8 July.

“Ahead of the Council’s 50th session we, the undersigned non-governmental organizations, are writing to urge your delegation to support the adoption of a resolution that ensures continued attention to Sudan’s human rights situation through enhanced interactive dia­logues at the Council’s 52nd and 53rd regular sessions,” the group’s petition reads in part.

Last year, following the 25 October coup, the UN Human Rights Council took urgent action and adopted a resolution reques­ting the High Commis­sion for Human Rights to designate an Expert on Human Rights in the Sudan.

“[w]hile the Expert’s mandate is ongoing, a resolution is required for the Council to hold public de­bates and continue to formally discuss the situation,” partly reads the petition signed by 53 human rights organizations.

They, however, said that a budget allocation is required for this to happen.

According to the group, the Council in its resolution S-32/1, said the desi­gna­ted expert would continue to report on human rights violations and abu­ses com­mitted in Sudan and advice on further steps that are needed.

The Council, they further stressed, also made it clear that the term of office for the designated expert will conclude “upon the restoration of civilian-led government.”

Meanwhile the rights entities requested the High Commissioner, with the assistance of the designated Expert on Human Rights in the Sudan, to update the Council at its 52nd session, in an en­han­ced interactive dialogue on Sudan’s human rights situation.

The group, further requested the High Commissioner, with the assistance of the designated Expert on Human Rights in the Sudan, to present to the Council, at its 53rd session, a comprehensive written report focusing on the situation of human rights in Sudan, to be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue, and to continue to report on the situation of human rights in Sudan to the Council twice a year.

(ST)