CRES\008\11\2015: RESOLUTION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE SITUATION IN SUDAN
CRES\008\11\2015: RESOLUTION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE SITUATION IN SUDAN
We, the participants of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 57thOrdinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 31st African Human Rights Book fair held in Banjul, The Gambia from 31st October–2nd November 2015;
Considering the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which the Sudan is a state party and that Sudan is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments, and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground;
Appreciating efforts of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) to address the situation in Sudan and recalling in this regard previous missions conducted by the Commission to Sudan in 2004, 2006 and 2014 as well as the resolutions on the situation of human and peoples’ rights in the country since its 35th Ordinary Session held in Banjul in May – June 2004,
Noting the failure of the government of Sudan to fully implement the Commission’s successive recommendations and Concluding Observations, including on Sudan’s Third Periodic Report as well as past decisions in which the Commission, inter alia, requested the government of Sudan to improve the human rights situation in the country and abolish inhumane practices such as corporal punishment;
Welcoming regional and international efforts to combat impunity, to uphold justice to the victims of violations of human rights and international criminal law in Sudan, particularly the decision of the International Criminal Court to hold accountable individuals accused of planning, executing, condoning or encouraging the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur;
Alarmed by the deteriorating situation of human and peoples’ rights in Sudan, in particular extra-judicial killings, torture and ill-treatment of political detainees, students and pro-democracy activists and the suppression of the right to hold public rallies and manifestations, arbitrary arrest and detention without judicial preview of political opponents, curtailment of the freedom of expression, freedom of the press and media, freedom of association and the dismantling of independent civil society in the country;
Strongly condemn reports of numerous incidents of ethnically motivated killings and ill-treatment of students from regions affected by the armed conflict in Sudan such as Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile State;
The NGOs Forum calls upon the 57th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to:
- Further urge the government of Sudan to comply with its obligations under the AU Constitutive Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the UN Charter and all other regional and international human rights treaties and covenants to which Sudan is a state party.
- Further urge the government of Sudan to cease all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including arbitrary arrest and detention, extra-judicial killings, torture and ill-treatment of detainees and safeguard the freedom of the press and media as well as the freedom of assembly and association.
- Call on the government of Sudan to implement the recommendations adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in particular to repeal Article 22 of the National Security Act that confers on members of the security forces total immunity for the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, to criminalize torture and all forms of violence against women, end corporal punishment and to revise laws regarding press freedom.
- Call on the government of Sudan to ensure that all persons held in its custody for political reasons, including the armed conflict in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States be brought before courts of law and be allowed unhindered access to family members, lawyers of their choice and to medical care. All persons held without judicial preview should be released.
- Urge the government of Sudan to stop all forms of harassments against independent civil society, to reverse its decisions to close NGOs and allow independent civil society and research institutes to work freely and without interference and to ensure the safety and security of their members and staff.
- Further urge the government of Sudan to stop all types of harassments against Sudanese human rights defenders, to respect their rights as internationally recognized and allow them space to monitor, research and report on human rights situation in different parts of the country.
- Urge all AU member states to continue their efforts in combating impunity and to expand regional coordination to apprehend all individuals accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia – 2nd November, 2015
