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See full debate on UN WebTV at 1:45:47 with IBAHRI and LRWC statement at 2:27:54
United Nations Human Rights Council
50th Human Rights Council Session
Oral Statement by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
50th session of the Human Rights Council
IED Universal Periodic Review adoptions on Sudan
02 July 2022
Mr President,
The International Bar Association Human Rights Institute and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada support the UPR recommendations on abolishing the immunities provided for members of the security forces under the National Security Act and immediately halting unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors.
We are alarmed by the derailment of the transition to a civilian-led democracy by military authorities, indicated by the arresting of the former Sudanese prime minister, the unilateral suspension of articles of the binding constitutional document, the reintegration of Al Bashir loyalists into the caretaker government, and the suspension of accountability mechanisms, including the Khartoum massacre investigative committee.
We condemn the pattern of extrajudicial killings and mass arbitrary arrests of protestors, activists, such as Amira Osman, human rights defenders, and resistance committee leaders following the coup, as well as systematic violations of fair trial and due process rights, including the right to access a lawyer and to be heard before a judicial authority.
The UPR process is effective only if States fulfill their UPR promises in timely ways that comply with international law. We call upon Sudan to:
- Rescind the blanket immunity afforded to security forces,
- Investigate all unlawful detentions, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture, and hold to account those responsible.
Thank you.
