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Thank you Mr President
New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for her comprehensive report and for her ongoing and dedicated work.
As the Special Rapporteur documents in her report, human rights abuses in Sudan continues to be widespread. In many instances, it is committed by state security forces. New Zealand stands alongside many other members of the international community in seeking an explanation as to why such abuse continues with apparent impunity.
New Zealand fully supports the additional recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur. The UNAMID deployment in Darfur is vital to the future security of the people of Darfur and the Sudan.
We, therefore, call on the Government of National Unity to co-operate fully with the United Nations and the African Union to facilitate the deployment of UNAMID and to remove all obstacles to the fulfilment of its mandate. We also call upon all parties to heed their obligations to civilians under humanitarian and human rights law.
Mr President
We welcome the agreement of the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to renew their commitment to peaceful joint government. We appreciate that the task of rebuilding Sudan’s institutions under the CPA is a great challenge which will take time and perseverance. But we encourage the Government of National Unity not to turn away from this task, but to implement the terms of the CPA as soon as it is able, and to establish the National Human Rights Commission.
Can the Special Rapporteur comment on whether there are further steps the international community could take in respect of the Sudanese Government’s failure to comply with its international legal obligations in respect of the participation of its forces in the continued repression and abuse of civilians, and of the arrest of those persons for whom the ICC has issued warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity?
Thank you very much Mr President.
