The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) welcomes the Special Session on Sudan held today at the United Nations Human Rights Council (the Council), and its establishment of a mechanism to monitor and report on human rights violations in the country.
Today, the United Nations Human Rights Council (the Council) unanimously adopted a resolution establishing an “Expert” on the human rights situation in Sudan. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) welcomes the creation of the new UN mandate, and calls on the international community to take further steps to defend democracy and protect the civilians in Sudan.
“The recent suspension of Sudan by the African Union and today’s action at the UN is a reminder to all governments across the MENA region that military coups and the overthrow of democratically elected governments will not be accepted by the international community. There can and will be consequences,” said Jeremie Smith, Geneva Director of CIHRS.
Speaking before the UN, Magdi El-Naiem, Sudanese rights defender, said governments had a “choice to make” either “listen to the demands of the people and take bold action to protect civilians” or “forsake the people of Sudan and bow to the brutality of the military. History will record your choice and the people of Sudan will not forget.”
The Council session comes as the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced it had undertaken a military coup to remove the civilian government of Abdalla Hamdok. Several ministers and members of the Sovereign Council and other key political actors, have been detained or placed under house arrest. The army declared a state of emergency and restricted the exercise of rights enumerated in the constitutional document. Since the coup, the army has resorted to violence to suppress prodemocracy protests, killing civilians and arresting scores of protestors.
On October 28, CIHRS joined 35 organization around the globe calling upon the Council to fulfil its mandate by convening a Special Session and adopting a resolution requesting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to set up a fact-finding mission to monitor, verify and report on the situation in Sudan with a view to preventing further human rights violations and abuses, identifying perpetrators, and ensuring accountability for these violations and abuses.
“The passage of today’s resolution is an important step towards re-establishing democracy and rule of law in Sudan” said Ziad Abdel Tawab, Deputy Director of CIHRS. “We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Sudan chanting for freedom and democracy. The world hears you and you are not alone.
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