Rights watchdog hails appointment of Sudan’s independent expert
June 19, 2009 (GENEVA) — The defeat on June 18 in the UN Human Rights Council of efforts led by Egypt and Sudan to end the scrutiny of Sudan was an important step, Human Rights Watch said.
“Most member governments made it clear that they intend to keep an eye on Sudan,” said Julie de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “That is a strong signal to the people of Sudan that the victims of human rights abuses will not be forgotten.”
The Human Rights Council decided to appoint an independent expert on the situation in Sudan. The independent expert will continue the work carried out by the special rapporteur on Sudan of reporting to the Human Rights Council on the situation in the country, including the implementation of recommendations made on Darfur.
Sudan has attempted to lobby the 47-member council to end Sima Samar’s mandate and the scrutiny over the human right situation on its territory. But the US which joins the council formally on Friday played behind the scene role in preventing Sudan from getting the required number of votes.
Sudan secured the votes of China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. However, the result of the vote was 20 in favor and 18 against creating the independent expert post.
“The lack of mechanisms for civilian protection and the rule of law in Darfur and Southern Sudan are serious concerns that the Human Rights Council should continue to monitor closely,” de Rivero said. “Though the vote was close, we are pleased that governments such as Brazil, Mauritius and Zambia voted to keep this situation under close scrutiny.”
More than a thousand civilian deaths from armed conflict in Sudan have been reported so far in 2009. Many thousands more are at risk following the government’s expulsion of humanitarian organizations.
The harassment and arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders by security forces and increasing censorship and restrictions on media freedoms have also caused serious concern, particularly because such measures diminish the chances that elections currently slated for February 2010 will be free and fair.
(ST)