OHCHR in Sudan

Profile

On 25 September 2019, a landmark Host Country Agreement was signed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Sudan, paving the way for the establishment of a fully mandated UN Human Rights' office in Sudan including four field offices in Darfur, Blue Nile, South Kordofan, and East Sudan. OHCHR received the full support of the Government of Sudan for the swift deployment of the start-up team to Khartoum from December 2019. The Deputy High Commissioner declared OHCHR country office in Sudan operational during the Human Rights Council 44^th session on 16 July 2020. The Human Rights Council resolution 45/25 of 6 October decided to end the mandate of the Independent Expert, and requested OHCHR to submit a written report to the 48^th session of the Council under item 10. OHCHR Country Office works in Sudan on six key areas that match the Government's priorities and the vision laid out in the 2019 Constitutional Document; which frames the transition period in Sudan. See below the six key areas of work.

UNAMID Human Rights component based in Darfur region works in close coordination with OHCHR Country Office. The UN Security Council resolution 2525 (2020) adopted on 3 June 20220 decided that UNAMID to close down by 31 December 2020.

The UN Security Council also adopted resolution 2524 (2020) on 3 June 2020 establishing the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) with a human rights mandate. OHCHR looks forward to implementing a coherent and integrated human rights program in Sudan that ensures the continuing work of my country office and implementation of UNITAM's mandate.

Achievements

• Incorporation of human rights-based approaches into the Sudan peace process: OHCHR Country Office; in coordination with UNAMID and UNITAMS, plans to provide technical assistance to the accountability and transitional justice mechanisms provided at the peace agreement to address the past crimes.
• Institution building and transitional justice: OHCHR provided technical advice with the Government on the recent law reforms adopted in July 2020 as well as on the draft law on the establishment of the Transitional Justice commission and the reforming of the National Human Rights Commission.
• Access to justice and promotion of accountability: OHCHR continues to monitor and follow up on with the office of the Attorney General and the judiciary on the work of the investigations committees established to investigate on cases of grave human rights violations committed in Sudan since 1989 including Darfur crimes, and the violent dispersal of the peaceful sit-in in Khartoum on 3 June 2019. OHCHR advocate for the delivery of justice to the victims, and fair trails.
• Women's rights: OHCHR continues to provide technical advice to the Government efforts on law reforms including on provisions related to the protection of women. The Office also established partnerships with key women groups. UNAMID Human Rights Section in Darfur also continues to build the capacity of security forces, lawyers, community paralegals and IDPs in Darfur to address SGBV/CRSV, in particular on the survivor-centered approach.
• Ratification of treaties: Through its legal mapping project, UNAMID Human Rights Section in Darfur and OHCHR Country Office encouraged Sudan to continue the ratification of some of the core international human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). On 6 October, the Council of Ministers endorsed the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
• Universal periodic Review: OHCHR Country Office and UNAMID Human Rights Section in Darfur has provided technical support to Sudan's preparations for the UPR, including hosting consultations with civil society and organizing specialized workshops and trainings to help implement recommendations it has accepted.In May 2016, Sudan accepted 180 out of 244 recommendations of the UPR process. Sudan also committed to fight impunity and investigate all cases of human rights violations. OHCHR hosted consultations with civil society on tracing the implementation of Sudan's Universal Periodic Review recommendations.

Partners and Donors

Partners: Government of the Sudan, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, women groups, victims groups, diplomatic community in Sudan.

Donors: Canada, EU, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Thematic pillars

• Mechanisms: Increasing implementation of the international human rights mechanisms outcomes
• Development: Integrating human rights in sustainable development
• Accountability: Strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations
• Prevention and protection: Preventing violations and strengthening protection of human rights
• Participation: Enhancing and protecting civic space and people’s participation
• Leave no one behind: Enhancing equality and countering discrimination

Shifts

• Prevention
• People on the move
• Inequalities
• Civic space

Spotlight populations

• Women

Last reviewed: November 2020