UN Human Rights Council – 32nd Special Session on Sudan
Delivered by Abdel-Rahman El Mahdi
We welcome this Special Session on Sudan. It is imperative that this scrutiny continues.
The military coup which took place last week threatens to reverse fragile gains made over the last three years towards democracy in Sudan. The Sudanese military has arrested and detained members of the Sovereign Council, government officials and politicians.
At least 12 people have been killed and around 300 injured as a result of excessive force used by the military to quell peaceful protests calling for the transitional administration to be respected. The military has disrupted telecommunications and internet connectivity, restricting access to information. Journalists, human rights defenders, and other critics of the government have been arrested and held incommunicado. We call for the immediate release of detained human rights defenders, journalists, protesters, and politicians as a matter of urgency, and for the immediate cessation of violence against protesters.
The situation risks deteriorating still further and the international community has an important role in preventing this. To this end we fully support the creation of a Special Rapporteur mandate on Sudan which would complement existing regional efforts, both to address the current crisis and to better ensure protection of civic space henceforth. The gravity of the situation, highlighted by Sudan’s suspension from the African Union, justifies an even stronger mechanism.
Special Procedures and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have echoed the calls of protesters for robust action from the Council. Today the Council has an opportunity to heed the voices of those most affected by the decisions it makes, and to take such action. We urge you to do so.
Thank you.
