UN human rights expert concludes official visit to Khartoum, draws sombre picture about situation in Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - UN Human Rights Expert for Sudan Adama Dieng concluded an official visit to the Sudan where he conferred with various organizations, entities and official bodies all over the country on the human rights situation there.

His initial report reflects a somber picture about human rights abuses in the country

On his first visit since being appointed in November 2021, Mr. Adama said he was “deeply moved” by the testimonies of loss and suffering he heard from many victims and their relatives.

He said initial reports he received revealed that at least 80 people were killed and over 2,000 injured since October 25th last year.

On that date, the Sudanese army sidelined the civilian components within the hybrid government and said it was a “corrective move” while the civilians called it a coup d’etat.

“Stories of loved ones shot dead or injured while taking part in peaceful protests and families prevented from visiting their sons and daughters in sites of detention. I applaud them for their resilience and determined quest for justice and accountability,” Adama said in a statement he read at a press briefing Thursday.

But he said he welcomed the reported release of not less than 100 people from detention this week and called for the immediate release of all others still in detention.

Adama also said that during his meetings with officials, diplomats and NGOs in Sudan, he raised concern at the extension of law enforcement powers to the general security forces during the State of Emergency and the temporary immunity from prosecution granted to these forces.

He also welcomed the establishment of judicial mechanisms by the Attorney General to investigate alleged violations of the right to life and cases of sexual violence since the coup, while underscoring at the same that the investigations must be prompt, impartial, and independent and lead to justice and redress for victims.

He however underlined that he would be looking forward to the reports of these investigations.

“I reiterated my concern about the security force’s repeated use of excessive force and live ammunition against protestors since the 25 October 2021 coup and noted that so far at least eighty-two (82) people have been killed as a result, more than 2,000 injured and others, mostly women, subjected to acts of sexual violence,” the UN expert claimed.

He underlined that he had also expressed his concern at the negative effects of the State of Emergency on human rights, attacks on medical facilities and medical personnel, harassment of media and journalists, arbitrary arrests and detention of protesters and human rights activists, and use of torture and other ill-treatment.

“I called on the authorities to put an end to the use of excessive force against protesters, lift the state of emergency, release all protestors and activists still held in detention and ensure prompt and impartial investigations into allegations of human rights violations.

"Doing so would comply with their obligations under international human rights law and de-escalate tensions,” he said.

Adama said he had also discussed with the authorities the situation in Darfur and existing gaps in the protection of civilians, and in particular the delay in the operationalization of the Security-Keeping Force, the situation of Internally Displaced People, “many of whom continue to be killed, injured, or subjected to sexual violence, including in the context of inter-communal violence”.

He said he stressed the need for perpetrators to be held to account and to accelerate implementation of the security arrangements contained in the Juba Peace Agreement.

Adama said he would be meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights next week to discuss these and other findings, prior to the 4 March interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Sudan at the Human Rights Council.

He said that during his five days in Sudan, he met with Sudanese attorney-general, the acting ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Justice, the National Reporting and Follow-up Mechanism (NMRF), the Unit on Combating Sexual Violence in the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Human Rights and Child Protection unit of the Rapid Support Forces, among others.

He also held meetings with diplomats accredited to the Sudan and heads of UN entities. He said he had also visited Soba Prison and interacted with the prominent activists arrested recently and some of the young activists detained there.

The Sudanese government has yet to issue a comment on the report of the UN Human Right Expert on the Sudan.

-0-PANA MO/RA 24Feb2022