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Advisory Council on Human Rights of the Government of Sudan

Welcome to the Home Page of the Advisory Council on Human Rights of the Government of Sudan.

This site has been created to provide official government information on human rights in Sudan. It also gives you the opportunity to bring violations of human rights to the attention of the Advisory Council so that it can try to take action to end or prevent the violations.

The government of Sudan is committed to respecting the human rights of everyone under its jurisdiction. It believes that this goal is compatible with the Islamic and African traditions of Sudan. And the Advisory Council will strive to do its utmost to fulfil its responsibility in this regards.

The Advisory Council on Human Rights of the Government of Sudan

When was the Advisory Council created?
The Advisory Council was first created in 1992 by the a decree of the Council of Ministers as a Coordinating Committee.

By another decree of the Council of Ministers in 1994, the Coordinating Committee became the Advisory Council.

Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are represented on the Advisory Council. The Minister of Justice is the Chairperson and the Head of the Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is its Rapporteur.

In early 1998, the Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law was formed in the Ministry of Justice. Dr. Elmufti is the Head of this Department and is assisted by several legal advisors.

What does the Advisory Council do?
The Advisory Council first and foremost advises the government on any issue relating to human rights. I has several sub-committee's (see the section below entitled "Government Action in the Field of Human Rights in Sudan") and oversees the twenty-six Committees on Human Rights Education that were formed in each of the twenty-six states of Sudan.

Some News on Human Rights in Sudan

The Some News:

On 15 May 1999, the Government of Sudan created the Committee for the Eradication of Abductions of Women and Children under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and headed by the Solicitor General for Public Law and Rapporteur of the Advisory Council on Human Rights, Dr. Ahmed El Mufti. The Committee was created by ministerial decree and has the authority to investigate allegations of abductions and to bring offedners to trial. It is currently concentrating its efforts on dealing with abductions through strengthening and supporting tribal mechanisms. The Committee has received the support of the several important international actors including UNICEF. The Committee continues to recieve information and to try to reunite women and children who have been fabducted and forced to perform unpaid labour in Sudan.

Between November and December 1998 three laws were passed in implementation of provisions of the new Constitution. The first law concerned Political Parties. The second law concerned Elections. And the third law concerned the establishment of the Constitutional Court that was created by the new Constitution. In February 2000, the Law on Political Association was revised and a new Press Law was enacted.

In December 1998, the Advisory Council of Human Rights was informed of an allegation of slavery concerning two girls whose family name is Dut and who come from the Wau region of Sudan. The Advisory Council is investigating this allegation with the view towards resolving the matter in accordance with Sudanese and international human rightys law.

In December 1998, the military trial of 27 persons accused of involvment in the bombings that took placce in Khartoum in July 1998 was suspended because of an application to the High Court of Sudan, Constitutional Division, challenging the legitimacy of a military trial under Sudanese law and the international law applicable in Sudan. The hearing by the Constitutional Division took place in 1999. In February 2000, all of the defendants were pardoned by the President and released.

In August and September 1998, the Advisory Council worked on the draft law for the Constitutional Court and a draft law for Political Parties.

Each March/April the Government of Sudan participates in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur on the Situation of HUman Rights in Sudan presents his report on Sudan and a resolution is considered critizing the government's human rights record. The Government usually responds by criticizing the report and resolution for their failure to recognize the improvements that have taken place and calls on the United Nations and the international community to support the peace process and technical assistance for Sudan in the field of human rights.
Although the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan was renewed, the Special Rapoporteur himself, Gaspar Biro, resigned. In 1999 Mr. Leonardo Franco was named the new UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan. He can be reached through Ms Georgia Paserrelli at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, tel: +41-22-917-9101 and fax: +41-22-917-9003.

In March 1998, a delegation from the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights visited Sudan to discuss cooperation in the field of human rights with government and non-governmental organizations in Sudan.

In March 1999, the President also submitted a revised draft constitution to the National Assembly for its approval before being approved by the people of Sudan in a national referendum. A copy of this constitution has been circulated to Sudanese inside and outside of Sudan for their comments. The draft contains many human rights in Chapter II. Among these rights are the right to life, to freedom of expression, association and movement, to appeal to higher courts in accordance with law, to be presumed innocent, the right of petition, the right to freely manifest one's religion, etc..

At the end of March 1998 the National Assembly approved the draft with few changes. It will now be put to a national referendum.

In February 1998, Mr. El-Ghali, currently senior legal council to the Minister of Justice, was named the Representative for the Advisory Council in the three Kordofan states.

Mr. El-Ghali will reside in Kadugali and the following will be among his tasks:
*To coordinate government action for protecting and encouraging human rights in the states of Kordofan.
*To oversee the Human Rights Education Committees that have been formed in the three states.
*To bring action against government officials who violate human rights.

Government Action in the Field of Human Rights in Sudan
Click on this link to view an unofficial English translation of the new Constitution of Sudan as it read when it entered into force on 1 July 1998 (it has been through minor revisions.).Unofficial English translation of the new Constitution of Sudan (1998). Click on any of the below links to see some documents concerning human rights in Sudan produced by the government of Sudan.

STATEMENTS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN RELATING TO HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Statement to the 54th United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1998.

2. More Statements to the 54th United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1998 as well as a statement by UNICEF concerning Sudan. For more government statements click here.

ACTION ON INDIVIDUAL CASES BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Although the ACHR deals with numerous individual cases, some get more publicity than others. In some cases, the ACHR is able to intervene to prevent or stop human rights abuses quickly.

ACTION IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND TRAINING BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HUMAN RIGHTS

In July 1998, Dr. Elmufti, Head of Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Rapporteur of the ACHR, will join Dr. Curtis Doebbler in a nine day training of judges and lawyers on issues of human rights relevant to Sudan.

On 26 through 28 May 1998, Mr. Khalid Osman of the ACHR assisted in the training of military personnel at Jebel Aulia in human rights and the rights of the Child under the auspices of the Children's Rights Organization.

On 25 May 1998, the ACHR participated in a human rights training for lawyers organized by the women's legal representation and advice group, Mutawnat. The day concentrated on proposals for a draft law on juvenile justice.

ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The GOS report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, under the ICESCR was submitted at the end of 1998.

The GOS, through the National Council of Child Welfare, is in the final stages of drafting its report to the UN Committee on the Rights to the Child, under the CRC--although the report is currently more than one year over-due.

The GOS has submitted its report to the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination in Octobr 1998.

The GOS has also submitted a report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights i Ocotber 1998.

And finally, the ACHR has held a follow-up meeting to discuss the comments and views of the UN Human Rights Committee in reponse to its report to this Committee in October of 1997. This met to discuss the reports of members at the end of June 1998.

Please e-mail the ACHR with questions or comments about human rights in Sudan
To contact the Advisory Council please write to the address below or please telephone Dr. Elmufi.

no e-mail is available. ACHR P.O. Box 302
Khartoum , ,
Sudan Telephone: +249-11-779173

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