Sudan committed to protect human rights, says Justice Minister

September 16, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government is committed in
efforts to observe international systems based on the rules of
international laws and human right standards, provide they are fair
and balanced principles, Mohamad Bushara Dousa, its Justice Minister
has said.

The minister made these remarks, last week, while speaking at the
21st regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Council, which comprises 47 United Nations Member states, is an inter-governmental body within
the UN system tasked with strengthening the promotion and protection
of human rights across the globe.

“The cooperation of the Government of Sudan with the United Nations
human rights mechanisms had been continuous,” said Dousa, adding that
the “Sudanese Government had agreed to the extension of the mandate of
the Independent Expert, extended cooperation to Special Procedures
during their visits to the country and had sent an invitation to the
High Commissioner to visit the country during this year.”

Sudan, its Justice Minister said, has also established a national
human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, which are
reportedly in full function, including within its conflict areas.

The move, he noted, was implemented as part of the country’s efforts
to observe the Human Right Council resolution on Sudan during its
Universal Periodic Review, which among others things advocated for
capacity building in the country.

On the conflict in Darfur, the Sudanese Justice Minister said progress
had been in the implementation of the Doha Conference, seeking an end
to the conflict in its troubled Western region.

In addition, the Khartoum regime, Dousa said, had exercised its right
to protect civilians in its South Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces,
where continuous fighting between SPLM-North rebels and government
troops have forces tens of thousands into South Sudan and neighboring
Ethiopia.

“In South Kordofan, the Government had adopted the policy of green
land through the promotion of agriculture, water, health and education
programmes, despite disturbances caused by rebels,” the Sudanese
Justice Minister told members of the Council.

Sudan and South Sudan continue to trade accusation over each other’s
alleged support for rebels, which analysts say, could hamper efforts
to achieve peace and stability in the conflict regions of Blue Nile
and South Kordofan.

However, the Dousa maintains that Sudan has fully implemented the 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including being the first country
to recognize the State of South Sudan, when it attained independence
in July last year.

He also expressed optimism that the differences between Sudan and
South Sudan would be settled with the hope that this progress would
lead to positive and stable relations between the two countries.

(ST)