Civil Society Groups Urge Sudanese Government to Ratify Key International Human Rights Treaties

Civil Society Groups Urge Sudanese Government to Ratify Key International Human Rights Treaties

The Sudanese transitional government must show its commitment to breaking with a decades-long legacy of systemic human rights violations by ratifying the two main international human rights treaties that ban torture and enforced disappearances.

In a letter to the Sudanese transitional government, over 20 civil society organisations – including REDRESS and the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) – urge the government to promptly ratify the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED).

On 6 October, Sudan moved closer towards ratifying both treaties when Sudan’s Council of Ministers (one of the two limbs of the joint council that is leading Sudan’s political transition) approved their ratification. The decision to ratify both treaties now lies with the Sovereign Council. The ratification and subsequent domestic implementation of both treaties whether through direct implementation or through enabling legislation, will provide crucial safeguards to protect human rights.

The signatories encourage Sudan’s transitional government to ratify these treaties in their entirety, without reservations, and to opt-in to the individual communications procedures under both UNCAT and ICPPED. These mechanisms play an important role in the effective prevention of torture.

Charlie Loudon, International Legal Adviser at REDRESS, said: “Ratifying these treaties will send a powerful signal about the commitment of Sudan’s transitional government to enhancing human rights protections in the country, and to putting an end to decades of human rights violations.”

Mossaad Ali, Director of the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, noted:

“The ratification and implementation of both treaties is a critical step towards the prevention of torture in Sudan. Many organisations are prepared and eager to provide any necessary technical assistance.”

Find the full letter in English and Arabic here.

For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Eva Sanchis, REDRESS’ Head of Communication, at [email protected] or +44 (0) 7857110076.

Photo credit: PANOS Pictures.