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New mandate created for independent UN human rights expert on Sudan

New mandate created for independent UN human rights expert on Sudan

Human Rights Council in Geneva
The United Nations Human Rights Council today established a one-year mandate for an independent expert tasked with examining the situation in Sudan, as it concluded its 11th session.

In one of several resolutions adopted prior to wrapping up the two-week session, the Council requested the new Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan to report to the Geneva-based body at its 14th session.

The new mandate replaces that of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Sudan, which expires this month.

Also by the same text, the Council called on Sudan’s Government of National Unity to continue and intensify its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights across the country.

Among the other issues the 47-member body took action on were the human rights of migrants in detention centres, the acceleration of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, trafficking in persons, the right to education and the Draft Guiding Principles on extreme poverty and human rights.

During its session, the Council also received an update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on human rights themes and situations of particular concern, especially the condition of civilians in armed conflict, and the human rights of migrants.

In addition, the Council held its annual full-day meeting on women’s human rights, on the theme of equality before the law.

The next regular session of the Council – which replaced the Human Rights Commission in 2006 – will be held from 7 to 25 September.