Serious violations of human rights continue in varying forms in different parts of the Sudan. While the situation in Darfur is well known to the international community, violations also occur in northern, eastern, and southern Sudan and in the Transitional Areas.
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on 9 January 2005 by the Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army saw the end of an internal conflict that lasted more than two decades. The CPA includes a permanent ceasefire and accords on wealth and power-sharing, and establishes major transformation processes, including reforming the political system to reflect democratic principles and uphold respect for human rights. UNMIS, established in 2005,was mandated to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by monitoring its implementation, investigating violations, observing the movement of armed groups, and ensuring an adequate human rights presence.
OHCHR supports the work of the human rights component of UNMIS through technical cooperation projects and by providing guidance and expert advice on specific human rights questions. UNMIS human rights officers are based in the capital, Khartoum; Nyala, El Fasher, El Geneina, Zalengi (Darfur); Abyei, Kadugli, Ed-Damazin (Transitional Areas); Juba, Rumbek, Malakal, and Wau (Southern Sudan). The Human Rights Office monitors the human rights situation, supports the rule of law and national institution-building, advocates for judicial and legal reforms, promotes international human rights standards and implements technical cooperation projects.
OHCHR and UNMIS assisted the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan in establishing national human rights institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles.Workshops were organized to prepare for the new institutions, ensure their independence, and define their core functions, structure, methodology and legal provisions. Suggested changes were included in the draft laws submitted to the National Legislative Assembly and the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly.
Workshops were also held for members of civil society to promote international human rights standards and encourage independent presentation of human rights reports to treaty bodies, and follow-up on concluding observations. In addition, Government representatives, members of Parliament and civil society attended Workshops in Khartoum to strengthen their capacity to promote and protect human rights, particularly regarding the drafting, revision and implementation of national laws that conform to international human rights standards.
OHCHR issued public reports, in cooperation with UNMIS, that suggested remedial action to address and prevent future violations. In some cases, this led to limited action by the Government.
OHCHR supported the work of the Human Rights Councilmandated mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan. OHCHR serviced the High-level Mission to assess the human rights situation in Darfur, appointed by the President of the Council and the Expert Group on Darfur, to advance implementation of previous recommendations designed to improve human rights protection. The Expert Group developed an implementation plan with clear steps that should be taken by the Government and established indicators of progress and a timetable for implementation.
In 2008 and 2009, OHCHR will continue to provide assistance to, and build the capacity of, both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan to protect and promote human rights in all parts of the country. An additional challenge during this period will be ensuring freedom of expression, association and assembly and other political rights leading up to the elections in 2009.
The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur will begin functioning by the beginning of 2008. OHCHR will provide support to the new human rights component of UNAMID. The new peace mission will operate in parallel with UNMIS with a distinct geographical mandate covering Darfur.