Darfur: UN rights experts meet with Sudanese officials

United Nations human rights experts who have met with the Sudanese Government on the situation in the war-torn Darfur region reported some progress while calling for further talks.

The UN Experts Group on Darfur “welcomed the positive approach taken by the Government of Sudan and specific proposals made by the Government,” members said in a statement released in Geneva. “While there was common understanding on several important steps to improve the human rights situation in Darfur that could be implemented in the future, further dialogue would be pursued on other issues.”

Yesterday’s consultations with high-level representatives of the Government of Sudan aimed to identify practical steps to improve the human rights situation in Darfur.

The Group, established by the Human Rights Council, is tasked to work with the Government to foster action on UN rights recommendations concerning Darfur. It will report back to the Council in mid-June.

The Group is chaired by Sima Samar, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan. Its other members are Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders; Yakin Erturk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences; Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict; and Walter Kalin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons.

Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, is also a member but was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting.