Independent Expert on Human Rights in Sudan commends efforts to make recent referendum reality and successful
Khartoum, March 14 (SUNA) - The Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights in the Sudan, Mohamed Chande Othman, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Sudan for inviting him and assisting him during his visit to the country, which was concluded Sunday
Chande commended in a statement he issued at the end of his second visit to Sudan fduring March 6 -13 the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan for their great efforts to guarantee that the recent referendum on self-determination of South Sudan will be conducted honestly and in a sound way, appreciating the government of Sudan for its accepting to the outcome of the referendum
He said that he noticed a number of developments in Sudan since his first visit to Sudan, top of them was holding of south Sudan referendum in a successful way
The Independent Expert congratulated the South Sudan Referendum Commission and its chairman over their efforts to make a success the referendum process, calling on the two partners to implement the remaining items of the CPA, particularly Abyei referendum, demarcation of borders, the citizenship, wealth and resources-sharing and the people's consultation in the Blue Nile and South Kordufan State
He expressed his concern with the continuous deterioration of the situation in Abyei area, urging the CPA parties to take immediate action to calm down the tension in the region and reach an agreement on all outstanding issues as soon as possible
He also voiced concern over the increasing loss of life and displacement of people as a result of criminal activity, cattle looting and inter-communal violence in southern Sudan, and the fighting between the SPLA and militia groups, and urged the government there to ensure the protection of civilians
He warned that impunity associated with these incidents will continue to negatively effecting peace, stability and security of the region, referring to the fighting between the SPLA and the forces of the former Commander George Attor in Gengoli State, which claimed the lives of more than 200 persons
He also expressed his appreciation to the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the UN Mission in Sudan (UNIMS) for facilitating his visit, indicatingthat he visited Darfur and Juba and the area of Abyei
The statement explained that the Independent Expert met in Khartoum with a number of concerned officials, including the Minister of Justice, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, the Chief Justice, members of the Advisory Council for Human Rights, members of the South Sudan Referendum Commission, Organizations of Civil Society and members of the diplomatic corps
In Juba, South Sudan, the Independent Human Rights Expert met with the Speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, members of the Human Rights Commission, the Command of Staff of the SPLA and the Civil Society Organization and advocates of Human Rights
The Independent Expert further met with Leaders of Messiriya and Dinka tribes, Chairman and members of Abyei Administration, besides the speakers and deputy speakers of the Legislative Assembly
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