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English edition -4th quarter 1997
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Final Observations of the United Nations Human rights
Committee,
Geneva 07 NOV 97
| In its final observations concerning the second periodical report about
the Sudan (CCPR/C/75/Add.2), the committee welcomes, with satisfaction,
all the initiative aimed towards a peaceful resolution of the country’s
conflict, given that numerous violations of human rights have been recorded
in the context of the internal conflict. It equally welcomes, with
satisfaction, the measures that have been taken to reduce the impact of
the declared state of emergency. The committee however affirms that
the imposition, by the Sudan, of the death penalty for offences that can
not be qualified as “most serious crimes”, is incompatible with the Pact’s
clauses relating to the right of life. Additionally, certain forms
of execution do not conform to the ban of sentences cruel, inhuman and
degrading treatment, particularly that of women. Flogging, amputation,
and stoning, recognised as sentences for penal offences are not compatible
with the Pact, underlines the committee. It equally expresses that
the Sudan should forbid the practice of female genital mutilation.
The committee declares itself troubled, amongst other things, by the number of reports, coming from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, telling of the state of extra judicial executions, torture, slavery, disappearances and kidnappings, as well as by the accounts of the Sudanese delegation, according to which, such human rights violations are fairly infrequent. It recommends that permanent and independent mechanisms be put under way to investigate all allegations of abuses of power on the part of the police , security forces and popular defence forces. The committee equally recommends that the concept of “national security” be clearly defined by law and that the reasons of arresting someone be specified in writing by the police and security agents. Preoccupied by the fact that religious minorities can be affected by a large range of discriminatory administration action, the committee affirms the accent be put on the material needs of ethnic and religious minorities, notably on cultural and linguistic needs. In addition, measures should be taken to improve the independence and technical competence of the judicial system. |