Sudan informed the Human Rights Council that it had officially ratified the Convention against Torture, the declaration amounted to a complete break with the era of the former regime.
Khartoum: Altaghyeer
The permanent representative of Sudan to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ali bin Abi Talib declared on Wednesday before the plenary session of the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, Sudan’s agreement to join the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Convention for the Protection of All persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Sudan agreed during a joint meeting of the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers to join the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance of 2006 and the Convention against Torture and Cruel or Inhuman Punishment of 1984.
The delegate indicated that this comes in line with the Sudanese government’s efforts to enhance respect and protection of human rights in the country.
The violations of the former regime and its constant refusal to ratify international treaties led to the appointment of special delegates and independent experts to present reports on the behavior of al-Bashir regime.
Ali bin Abi Talib reviewed the efforts made during the past year regarding the promotion of human rights in the country.
He renewed Sudan’s full commitment to cooperating with all regional and international human rights mechanisms.
An important step
Both EU delegation in Sudan and Human Rights Watch welcomed Sudan’s ratification of the Convention against Torture and the Convention against Enforced Disappearance.
Today Wednesday EU delegation in Sudan tweeted that it warmly welcomes Sudan’s ratification of the Convention against Torture and the Convention on Enforced Disappearance and considered the matter another important step on the path to freedom, peace and justice.
The director of East Africa division Gihan Henry described the Sudanese decision as an incredible step.
A Historical Moment
Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari said in a press statement that the joint meeting of the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers discussed the two agreements and agreed to Sudan’s ratification.
He described the step as historic, especially after the problems that the Sudanese suffered from due to the practices of the dictatorial regime.
Abdulbari noted that Sudan’s last ratification to international conventions was in 1986.
He added that the glorious December revolution provided a great opportunity for Sudan to accede to a number of international agreements.
The best start
“There has never been a better start than joining the Convention against Torture and protecting all persons from enforced disappearance.” – Abdulbari
The meeting of the Sovereignty Council and the Cabinet is like a parliament in the absence of the transitional legislative council.
