Human rights observer “not warranted”

The Sudanese government has rejected recommendations by the UN Human Rights Commission that a human rights observer be appointed for Sudan.
Justice Minister Ali Muhammad Uthman Yasin held a news conference on Sunday and said the government was firm in its decision to reject the observer, but would accept the input of an international human rights expert on a provisional six month programme, official media said. According to Yasin, the expert would work as a consultant under the auspices of UNDP and would advise on developing activities for national capacity-building to strengthen and protect human rights. In rejecting the appointment of an observer, Yasin said, “We are convinced that our religion respects, honours and fully preserves human rights.”

A Sudanese official told IRIN that a human rights observer was “not necessary” and that the situation in Sudan did not warrant such appointment. Muhammad Dirdiery, deputy head of mission in the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, told IRIN that the agreement with the Commission to appoint an international expert showed that Sudan was prepared to cooperate with the international community on ways to improve human rights. Dirdiery said the expert would advise the government.