The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk on Wednesday called out Sudanese factions to reach an agreement to end worsening political and economic crises in the country which deepened following last year’s military coup, reported The Africa News.
The negotiation talks between Sudan’s main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), and the military have been going on for weeks in a bid to break the deadlock following the 2021 military coup.
“Any transition is delicate, and in Sudan, we are at a particularly delicate stage of this transition”, he said.
The UN human rights commissioner called on all sides involved in the political process to put some extra efforts and work towards prompt restoration of civilian rule in the country.
Turk arrived in Sudan on Sunday and met with senior officials including coup leader General Al-Burhan.
During a press conference held in Khartoum on Wednesday, the UN official said the military coup, which put an end to civilian power-sharing following the ouster of former dictator Omar Al-Bashir, had left Sudan “at a decisive fork in the road”.
Along with international support, he assured that OHCHR will work to strengthen Sudan’s capacity, including the promotion and protection of human rights.
He advocated for bold steps towards consensus and using human rights protections as the driving force. He also reaffirmed the right to peaceful assembly.
Turk urged the relevant Sudanese authorities to instruct security forces to respond to the demonstrations in line with human rights laws and standards. He said people have the right to peaceful assembly, and the state has an obligation to ensure this right can be exercised without any fear.
An estimated 119 people have lost their lives and more than 8,050 got injured in anti-coup protests so far.
The UN official also pointed out at the desperate humanitarian situation in Sudan. He said that a staggering one-third of the population are in urgent need of assistance.
