SUDAN / HUMAN RIGHTS

The top United Nations humanitarian official in Sudan today called for an immediate halt to the fighting in the state of Southern Kordofan so that civilians affected by the recent violence can receive the help they need. UNMIS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:59
• Production Date: 8 June 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SUDAN - UNMIS
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; PEACE AND SECURITY; DISARMAMENT
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U110608i

Description

STORY: SUDAN / HUMAN RIGHTS
TRT: 1:59
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 08 JUNE 2011, KHARTOUM, SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Med shot, journalists
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in Sudan, United Nations:
“I visited Abyei and I am concerned not only of the destruction, massive displacement of the residents, and the attendant humanitarian crisis, but also of the future status and security of the residents of Abyei. I urge the Government in Khartoum to abide by the call of the UN Security Council for the SAF to withdraw its forces from Abyei, and to create the necessary conditions for the return of the residents to their ancestral homeland.”
3. Med shot, journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in Sudan, United Nations:
“I received allegations of killings, rape and other forms of inhuman and degrading treatment during and subsequent to the attack. I urge the SAF and the Government of Sudan to grant unqualified access to UNMIS to enter into Abyei town consistent with their mandate with a view to verify these allegations, and for the Government of Sudan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events in Abyei so as to bring those responsible to justice.”
5. Med shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in Sudan, United Nations:
“The key to the resolution of the Abyei conflict and to the improvement of the human rights situation lies in political engagement between the parties. In this regard, I urge the parties to return to the negotiation table to resolve their outstanding differences so as to bring peace and stability in the area.”
7. Med shot, journalists

Storyline

The United Nation’s (UN) Expert on Human Rights in Sudan has said that the resolution of the Abyei conflict and the improvement of the human rights situation in Sudan lies in political engagement between the parties.

Speaking after a nine day visit to Sudan, Justice Mohamed Othman Chande said at a press conference in Khartoum that he was concerned about recent events in Abyei.

SOUNDBITE (English) Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in Sudan, United Nations:
“I visited Abyei and I am concerned not only of the destruction, massive displacement of the residents, and the attendant humanitarian crisis, but also of the future status and security of the residents of Abyei. I urge the Government in Khartoum to abide by the call of the UN Security Council for the SAF to withdraw its forces from Abyei, and to create the necessary conditions for the return of the residents to their ancestral homeland.”

Chande said that prior to this recent incident, the parties have been unable to implement the binding judgment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the demarcation of the border of Abyei, as well as obligations assumed under agreements brokered by the international community.

He said he had received allegations of killings, rape and other forms of inhumane and degrading treatment.

SOUNDBITE (English) Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in Sudan, United Nations:
“I received allegations of killings, rape and other forms of inhuman and degrading treatment during and subsequent to the attack. I urge the SAF and the Government of Sudan to grant unqualified access to UNMIS to enter into Abyei town consistent with their mandate with a view to verify these allegations, and for the Government of Sudan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events in Abyei so as to bring those responsible to justice.”

This was his third visit to Sudan. He visited Khartoum, North and South Darfur, Juba and Malakal, Upper Nile State in South Sudan and Abyei where he met various stake-holders and he said that he had received reports of prolonged detention of people without access to legal representation or to their families.

He called on the Government of Sudan to respect the political rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Interim National Constitution and allow the Sudanese people to exercise their rights freely