Reinstate civilian-led regime, U.N tells Sudanese authorities
June 8, 2022 (GENEVA) – Authorities in Sudan must take credible steps towards the reinstatement of a civilian-led transitional governmentandheedthecallsoftheSudanese population for improved enjoyment of their rights, a United Nations official said in a report to the Human Rights Council.
The report on the human rights situation in Sudan was presented to the Human Rights Council by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday.
It covers the period from 25 October 2021 to 10 April 2022, based on information and observations gathered by the Expert with the assistance of and in cooperation with the UN N joint human rights office in Sudan.
Thereportdepictsthekeyhumanrightschallenges facedbytheSudansincethe military takeover and contains recommendations to address them.
It further calls on authorities in Sudan to set an end date for the state of emergency, notify the [United Nations] Secretary-General of the articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that it has derogated from, adhere to applicable human rights principles in the implementation of the state of emergency and consider lifting it all together;
Sudanese authorities, must “Take the steps necessary to ensure that the joint security forces do not use excessive and/or lethal force against peaceful protesters; and investigate effectively, impartially and in a timely manner any allegation or reasonable suspicion of unlawful use of force or other violations by members of the joint security forces, including sexual and gender-based violence, and hold accountable those responsible”.
The report comes a day after western diplomats and the European delegation expressed deep regrets after the 100th civilian died in the wake of protests carried out in opposition to a military coup on October 25, 2021.
The UN urged authorities to cease attacks by security forces on hospitals and schools and conduct independent, impartial, prompt, thorough and effective investigations into such attacks, including assaults and dill-treatment targeting health workers, teachers and students, and hold the perpetrators to account.
“Conductindependent, impartial, prompt, thorough and effective investigations into all allegations of attacks, harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, journalists, media outlets and civil society organizations and bring all perpetrators to justice,” the report recommends.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Commissioner urged the international community to continue to engage with the Sudanese authorities, with a view to supporting initiatives that will lead to the reinstatement of a civilian-led transitional government;
It also called for support to ongoing initiatives aimed at bringing about a durable politicalsolutioninSudanwithaccountability for human rights violations at its centre.
(ST)