Oral statement on Sudan - UN Human Rights Council session

41st session of the Human Rights Council
Tuesday 9 July 2019
Agenda Item X: Enhanced ID on Sudan
Statement of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute

Mr President,

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is alarmed by the brutal and lethal use of force by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against protestors, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, killing of civilians, rape of women and overall deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in the Republic of Sudan.

It is particularly concerning that the 3 June crackdown in the country – resulting in the death of over 100 people – was reportedly carried out on the advice of the attorney general and the head of the judiciary, state institutions that should be bastions of justice.

Compounding the situation is that neither these institutions, nor the Transitional Military Council (TMC), seem willing to try Omar Al Bashir or two others charged with war crimes, or to hand them over to the International Criminal Court, despite the individuals reportedly being in their custody.

Mr President, when those who should protect and ensure justice in a country become the perpetrators of injustice, it is the role of the United Nations and the international community to intervene. With this in mind, the IBAHRI:

  • echoes the call made by UN experts for the Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigation into violations in Sudan; and
  • calls on Member States of the UN to use all diplomatic means to urge the TMC to stop human rights violations and handover to a civilian government, as well as to ensure those wanted for war crimes in their custody are brought to justice.

Finally, we welcome the extension of the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur’s mandate and, given security concerns regarding the RSF do not solely centre in Darfur, recommend it be extended beyond four months.

For further information, contact:
Muluka Miti-Drummond
Deputy Director, IBAHRI
muluka.miti-drummond@int-bar.org

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