UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several UN experts said that accountability and justice for the victims of the deadly attack on peaceful demonstrators in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, are essential for the country to move towards a peaceful democracy.
“We remain concerned that one year after the violent attack on peaceful demonstrators, the victims and their families are still waiting for justice and redress,” said Nyaletsossi Clément Voule, United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
“This is a test for Sudan. The transition to a peaceful and democratic society will not be complete without justice and effective solutions being provided to the victims of this case, who fought for the revolution,” he continued.
The experts recognized that the creation of an independent national investigation committee to investigate allegations of human rights violations on June 3, 2019 and the opening of further investigations for crimes committed in the past were important measures taken by the authorities.
“All those responsible must be held accountable without exception and in accordance with the procedural rules established by international standards”, said the experts.
Aristide Nononsi, an independent expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, said women were at the forefront of peaceful protests and were among the first victims of violence, including human rights violations and sexual violence.
“We urge the independent national commission to address the seriousness of the gender-based violence that occurred during the repression and to do its utmost to ensure justice and redress for the victims,” the experts said.
Driven by an economic crisis, the Sudanese organized several months of peaceful protests in 2019, which eventually led to the ousting of President Al-Bashir, after 30 years in power. — NNN-AGENCIES
