Human Rights Council

Twenty-seventh session

Agenda item 10

Technical assistance and capacity-building

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

27/29

Technical assistance and capacity-building to improve human rights in the Sudan

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recallingthe Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007,

Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and protection of all human rights,

Welcoming the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to protect and promote human rights in the country,

Noting the developments taking place in the Sudan, and the record of the Government of the Sudan in the promotion and protection of human rights,

Welcoming the implementation by the Government of the Sudanof the Child Act (2010), which provides protection for children, including prohibition of child recruitment,

Encouraging the efforts of the Government of the Sudan to implement the universal periodic review recommendations accepted by the Government,

Noting the challenges that still face the Sudan in conflict-affected areas, particularly in the States of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile,

1.Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan submitted to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh session, and the recommendations made therein;

2.Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Independent Expert;

3.Takes note of the continued cooperation of the Government of the Sudan with the Independent Expert to enable him to fulfil his mandate, and of the Government’s stated commitment to continue this cooperation;

4.Encourages the initiative of holding a comprehensive, inclusive national dialogue in the Sudan to achieve sustainable peace, as well as the progress being made by Sudanese stakeholders to prepare for this process with the support of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel;

5.Takes note of the assessment made by the Independent Expert in paragraph 46 of his report, encourages the Government of the Sudan to fulfil its pledges with regard to the release of political prisoners, and further encourages all Sudanese stakeholders to ensure the creation of a conducive environment for inclusive, transparent and credible dialogue;

6.Commends the steps taken by the Sudan Ministry of Education to reinforce human rights education at the basic and secondary levels in the course of the implementation of the National Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (2013-2023), and encourages the Government of the Sudan to continue these efforts;

7.Welcomes the efforts made by the Government of the Sudan in combating human trafficking, including by enacting national legislation, such as the Human Trafficking Act, by forming and strengthening national mechanisms, and by continuing its cooperation with regional and international stakeholders in this issue;

8.Encourages the Government of the Sudan to further promote and protect the right to freedom of religion and belief, and in this respect to comply with its constitutional obligations and its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

9.Expresses serious concern at excessive use of force, including the lethal shooting of demonstrators in September 2013 and March 2014, and calls upon the Government of the Sudan to institute an independent public inquiry and to refer its findings to the judiciary within its legal system to ensure justice and accountability related to those incidents;

10.Expresses concern at reports of restrictions on the media, pre- and post-publication censorship, seizure of newspapers, the banning of some journalists and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and of peaceful assembly;

11.Urges the Government of the Sudan to further its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular to ensure freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and to respect the human rights of all individuals, including human rights defenders and members of civil society organizations;

12.Condemns the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law reported in the States of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile and by all parties, including sexual and gender-based violence, the indiscriminate aerial bombings of humanitarian facilities, such as the reported bombing of a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders, and the targeting of civilians and humanitarian aid workers, and urges all parties to resort to peace;

13.Urges the Government of the Sudan to investigate allegations of human rights violations in the camps for internally displaced persons with a view to end violations, taking into account the recommendations of the Independent Expert;

14.Encourages comprehensive national legal reform initiatives in the Sudan, to further guarantee full compliance of the State with its constitutional and international human rights obligations, and also encourages the Government of the Sudan to ratify international instruments as accepted by the Government in the universal periodic review process;

15.Encourages all parties to allow access for vaccination to conflict-affected areas and to facilitate humanitarian access to populations in need of assistance, and encourages the Government of the Sudan to intensify its endeavours to address humanitarian needs in conflict-affected areas;

16.Urges Member States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, relevant United Nations agencies and other stakeholders to support the national efforts of the Government of the Sudan in accordance with the present resolution with a view to further improving the situation of human rights in the country by responding to the Government’s requests for technical assistance;

17.Decides to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a period of one year under agenda item 10, to continue his/her engagement with the Government of the Sudan to assess, verify and report on the situation of human rights with the view to make recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building for addressing human rights in the country, considering a full range of information, including information presented by the Government and viewpoints by civil society, and other relevant stakeholders that would assist him/her in the implementation of his/her mandate;

18.Requests the Independent Expert to present a report to the Human Rights Council for its consideration at its thirtieth session;

19.Calls upon the Government of the Sudan to continue its full cooperation with the Independent Expert and to continue to permit effective access to visit all areas of the country, and to meet with all relevant actors;

20.Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to provide all necessary financial and human resources support to the Independent Expert in the implementation of his mandate;

21.Calls upon the Government of the Sudan to continue to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner in the implementation of the present resolution;

22.Decides to consider this issue under agenda item 10.

40th meeting

26 September 2014

[Adopted without a vote.]