Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1215
2006-05-23 11:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
SUDAN: UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
how-toVZCZCXRO4089 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #1215 1431118 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231118Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2909 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001215
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SPG and DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION, AND CHILD LAWS
National Human Rights Commission
---------------------------------
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001215
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SPG and DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION, AND CHILD LAWS
National Human Rights Commission
--------------
1. (SBU) Draft legislation for the CPA mandated National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is, according to the European
Commission, in the Presidency and should be forwarded to the
Parliament soon. There have been multiple versions of the
draft legislation and it is unclear which version was
forwarded to the Presidency. The UN was unable to verify the
status of the Commission's draft legislation. Under the
proposed law, the Presidency approves the Commission's final
budget. Critics charge that this compromises the
independence of the Commission and want the National
Assembly to approve the budget. A UN representative said
that it was peculiar for the Presidency to approve the
Commission's budget as it does not approve any other
Commission's budget. Additionally, the SPLM has demanded
that the NHRC investigate past crimes.
2. (SBU) In a May 21 donor country meeting, the European
Commission representative stressed that the National
Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) did not draft the
legislation as mandated by the CPA. The UN representative
expressed concern over the selection process for members of
the Commission, highlighting that the selection must follow
Human Rights Law. The donors agreed to a joint meeting with
the Advisory Council for Human Rights (ACHR) and the Chair
of the NCRC to discuss concerns regarding the independence
of the Commission and the process of drafting the NHRC
legislation. The donors said they would provide financial
assistance to the Commission if it is established according
to the Paris Principles.
National Constitutional Review Commission
--------------
3. (SBU) On April 30, the Presidency announced the 60
members of the NCRC, however, it does not have a budget,
office space or a secretariat. Observers note that the GNU
is attempting to weaken the mandate of the NCRC and its
ability to operate as illustrated by the GNU bypassing the
Commission in drafting legislation for the CPA mandated
Commissions.
Child Rights Law
--------------
4. (SBU) UNICEF is currently working with the GNU to reform
child laws in accordance with UN Principles of Child Rights.
The GNU National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) created a
committee to propose amendments to current child laws. The
Committee is composed of lawyers from the military, the
ACHR, UNICEF and the Ministries of Interior, Judiciary,
Labor, Social Welfare. UNICEF is also pushing for Child
Protection Units within the Police.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/SPG and DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION, AND CHILD LAWS
National Human Rights Commission
--------------
1. (SBU) Draft legislation for the CPA mandated National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is, according to the European
Commission, in the Presidency and should be forwarded to the
Parliament soon. There have been multiple versions of the
draft legislation and it is unclear which version was
forwarded to the Presidency. The UN was unable to verify the
status of the Commission's draft legislation. Under the
proposed law, the Presidency approves the Commission's final
budget. Critics charge that this compromises the
independence of the Commission and want the National
Assembly to approve the budget. A UN representative said
that it was peculiar for the Presidency to approve the
Commission's budget as it does not approve any other
Commission's budget. Additionally, the SPLM has demanded
that the NHRC investigate past crimes.
2. (SBU) In a May 21 donor country meeting, the European
Commission representative stressed that the National
Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) did not draft the
legislation as mandated by the CPA. The UN representative
expressed concern over the selection process for members of
the Commission, highlighting that the selection must follow
Human Rights Law. The donors agreed to a joint meeting with
the Advisory Council for Human Rights (ACHR) and the Chair
of the NCRC to discuss concerns regarding the independence
of the Commission and the process of drafting the NHRC
legislation. The donors said they would provide financial
assistance to the Commission if it is established according
to the Paris Principles.
National Constitutional Review Commission
--------------
3. (SBU) On April 30, the Presidency announced the 60
members of the NCRC, however, it does not have a budget,
office space or a secretariat. Observers note that the GNU
is attempting to weaken the mandate of the NCRC and its
ability to operate as illustrated by the GNU bypassing the
Commission in drafting legislation for the CPA mandated
Commissions.
Child Rights Law
--------------
4. (SBU) UNICEF is currently working with the GNU to reform
child laws in accordance with UN Principles of Child Rights.
The GNU National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) created a
committee to propose amendments to current child laws. The
Committee is composed of lawyers from the military, the
ACHR, UNICEF and the Ministries of Interior, Judiciary,
Labor, Social Welfare. UNICEF is also pushing for Child
Protection Units within the Police.
HUME