Geneva: The UN human rights body holds an urgent session on Sudan on Friday after the military coup there almost two weeks ago, with England, the United States, Germany and Norway leading an expert to monitor the situation.
The debate of the Human Rights Council is underway while the United Nations still recognizes the Sudanese government ambassador as the country’s official representative in Geneva, raising questions about how – or if – military leadership in Khartoum will be represented during the session.
Push for a human rights expert came in the midst of increasing international pressure on Sudan International General General, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a loyal forces to Him who dissolved the Sudanese transition government and detained government officials and other political leaders in the October 25 coup .
“Sudanese military action is the betrayal of the Sudan Revolution, from the transition of democracy, and the expectations and aspirations of the people of Sudan,” Simon Manley, British Ambassador in Geneva, said in a statement sent to the Associated Press.
“Basically, it’s about respecting democracy and human rights.” “I hope that fellow council members will stand in solidarity with Sudanese brave people today,” Manley said.
The four Western countries presented the draft resolution on Wednesday, and the last language was still being worked on.
A spokesman for the Rolando Gomez Human Rights Council said that a provision remained intact to create a “special reporter” to monitor the situation in Sudan for one year.
His draft also called for a direct return to the civilian-led transition government under the Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, which was between those detained in the coup.
He is now under house arrest but is permitted to meet with UN and international diplomats as part of a mediation effort.
On Thursday, the state-run Sudanese news agency reported that Burhan had ordered the release of four government ministers who were also detained.
Defense lawyers for ministers said they had not been released.