HRC40: Oral Statement during General Debate on Item 4

40^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda Item 4, General Debate

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Speaker:Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW is concerned by the current state of emergency in Sudan which grants sweeping powers and immunity to security personnel at a time when Sudan’s human rights record is already deteriorating. Severe sentences handed to peaceful protestors by emergency courts are in breach of fundamental rights guaranteed in Sudan’s constitution.

We urge Sudan to implement the reforms that its citizens are demanding, as well as those recommended by the UN for several years.

We also urge the international community to establish an independent, international investigation into the deaths of protestors in Sudan.

In Iran, CSW is concerned by the heightened campaign against Christians in which individuals have received excessive charges and sentences for peacefully exercising their right to manifest their religion or belief in private and in community with others.

These arrests and sentences constitute a grave violation of the Iranian constitution and the nation’s international legal obligations. We urge the Iranian authorities to ensure the immediate unconditional release of all who have been arrested or imprisoned unjustly.

CSW is further concerned by the sharp rise in mob attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities across India. In January 2019 alone, reports of violence against Christians emerged in 13 states.

Impunity for these attacks emboldens perpetrators and undermines the confidence of religious minorities that they will be protected as they practice their faith.

We urge Indian police to investigate these incidents and prosecute those responsible, and continue to call on the government of India to act decisively to combat the spread of religious intolerance in the country.

Thank you