The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has condemned the military take over of Sudan on 25 October and requested that the High Commissioner for Human Rights designate an Expert to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country until a civilian-led government is restored.
The HRC held a Special Session on 5 November that was requested by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Norway and Germany. In total, the session was supported by 16 Members of the Council and 31 Observer States. During the session, states expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan, noting the detention of politicians, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the unwarranted use of force resulting in the deaths of at least 13 protesters, and the shutdown of internet and communications networks.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “CSW welcomes the Human Rights Council’s decision to hold a Special Session on Sudan, and we fully support the decision to appoint a designated expert on the human rights situation in the country, and urge countries in a position to do so to ensure the post is sufficiently resourced. This is an important step to address the deteriorating human rights situation following the 25 October military coup.”
On 5 November, three leaders of the Forces for Freedom and Change were detained after meeting with the head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, who has been leading the UN’s mediation efforts. On 7 November, over 100 teachers and members of local resistance committees were detained for participating in demonstrations, with concerns that they could face trial under emergency laws which are particularly restrictive. One teacher who was pregnant at the time of detention reportedly suffered a miscarriage due to mistreatment in detention. Another teacher had a heart attack after he was arrested in his home. The arresting officers reportedly planned to take him to military detention, but agreed to release him after doctors warned that his condition could be life threatening.
Sudan’s military leader, General Lieutenant Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has also continued the process of appointing senior civil servants and junior ministers in contravention to the 2019 Constitutional Declaration. These appointments of known members of the National Congress Party (NCP), the party of former President Omar al Bashir, include individuals who had been removed from high office by the Empowerment Removal and Dismantling NCP regime Committee tasked with identifying and dismantling institutions established under al Bashir.
Mr Thomas continued: “We urge the HRC to remain scrutinous of the situation in Sudan, particularly following the country’s premature departure from the Council’s agenda in October 2021. The role of the Designated Expert is vital, however the fragile political context that led to the coup will not end upon the restoration of a civilian-led government. The actions taken by military leaders to systematically undermine the civilian-led transition will have significant ramifications for the remainder of the transitional period. A long-haul commitment to supporting the promotion, protection, respect and fulfilment of human rights in Sudan will be crucial in preventing further violations, identifying perpetrators and ensuring accountability.”
Note to Editors:
1. The HRC Special Session on 5 November was requested by the following states:
a. Member States: Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Libya, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Sudan, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay.
b. Observer States: Albania, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America.