Full .pdf statement | See the oral video statement on UN Web TV at 1:28:51
Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
Item: Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the Sudan
Date: 15 June 2022
Speaker: Temisan Boyo
Oral Statement to the 50th Session of the UN Human Rights Council from Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), NGO in special consultative status
Sudan: Continued repression of human rights defenders and impunity for past violations
Mr. President,
Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada welcomes the report of the Expert on human rights in Sudan on human rights challenges faced by Sudan since the military takeover in October 2021. We further welcome the decision of the Sudanese authorities on 29 May 2022, to lift the state of emergency that was imposed after the takeover, in accordance with the Expert’s recommendations.[1]
We remain concerned by the continued repression of human rights defenders in Sudan and the lack of accountability for violations committed. Recent reports indicate that security forces continue to use excessive force against peaceful protesters.[2] This is consistent with the pattern of human rights violations committed by government forces since last year’s coup, including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and enforced disappearances. Despite the government’s claim that it is investigating these abuses,[3] to date, no one has been held accountable.
We note further that, more than three years after the violent attack on peaceful protesters on 3 June 2019, there has been no accountability for victims and their families. The national investigative committee established to examine and address the 2019 massacre recently suspended its activities due to obstruction by the current military authorities.[4]
We are alarmed by the abject impunity for human rights abuses in Sudan. We invite the Council to urge the Government of Sudan to conduct independent, impartial, prompt, and effective investigations into the alleged human rights violations and to hold accountable those responsible.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[1] France 24, “Sudan lifts state of emergency imposed since military coup”, 29 May 2022, available at https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220529-sudan-lifts-state-of-emergency-imposed-since-military-coup
[2] Human Rights Watch, “Keep Pressure on Sudan’s Coup Leaders”, 31 May 2022, available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/31/keep-pressure-sudans-coup-leaders
[3] A/HRC/50/G/2, “Note verbale dated 29 April 2022 from the Permanent Mission of the Sudan to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the secretariat of the Human Rights Council”, 11 May 2022, available at https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/HRC/c_gov/A_HRC_50_G_2_NAEV.docx
[4] Dabanga Sudan, “June 3 Massacre investigation committee forced to suspend its activities” 20 May 2022, available at https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/june-3-massacre-investigation-committee-forced-to-suspend-its-activities
