HRC44: Oral Statement during enhanced ID on Sudan

Agenda Item 10:Enhanced ID on oral reports of the Sudan and OHCHR

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President,

CSW welcomes the enhanced dialogue and urges the Council to remain seized of the human rights situation in Sudan.

While the creation of the National Commission for Religious Freedom and legislative amendments, including the abolition of the death penalty for apostacy, are important steps forward, implementation will be pivotal. Many legal reforms remain outstanding, including of Muslim Family Law, which discriminates against non-Muslims. We remain concerned by continued death threats against church leaders, and attacks on churches and Christians from South Sudan.

We encourage Sudan to ensure legal reforms fully protect the right to FoRB for all citizens and respect religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. We also call for the return of property seized from religious groups or sold illegally, and a review of the GIS’ powers of arrest and detention, to safeguard religious minorities and civil society from harassment, arbitrary detention or enforced disappearance.

CSW is concerned by continued insecurity, particularly in Darfur, where 9 peaceful protestors were murdered by militia at Fata Borno IDP camp on 12 July. We urge Sudan to ensure greater security for civilians, and unhindered access to conflict-affected regions for humanitarian agencies, and UN Special Procedures for monitoring purposes.

Accountability, constitutional reform, and the creation of transitional bodies, including a legislature, are critical to the transitional process. We urge the OHCHR and international community to support Sudan’s efforts to reform laws and establish key institutions, encouraging the participation of women in the process.

Looking ahead to September, we urge the Council to adopt a resolution allowing for annual independent reports from an individual or body mandated to monitor, investigate and verify reported abuses, and make recommendations.

Thank you