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UNAMID-supported workshop aims to enhance work of National Human Rights Commission in North Darfur

Photo by Salah Mohammed, UNAMID.

EL FASHER - Enhancing the work of the National Human Rights Commission in North Darfur was the aim of a UNAMID-supported workshop on 09 July 2017, in El Fasher.

 The day-long meeting reviewed the Commission’s five year action plan, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, along with the way ahead. Key aims were to enhance civil society engagement with the Commission and to improve implementation of its mandate.

 

The workshop was organized by UNAMID’s Human Rights Section in partnership with the Commission’s El Fasher branch. Participants represented the Commission, civil society, internally displaced persons (IDPs), the UN Country team and UNAMID.

 Adam Shreef, a UNAMID representative, told participants that UNAMID’s Human Rights Section -- with its mandate to promote and protect human rights in Darfur -- has been supporting the establishment and the work of the Commision in El Fasher, including the implementation of its mandate in North Darfur.

 

Mohamed Ibrahim, Chairperson of the Union for Persons with Disabilities, pointed to the importance of supporting the rights of people with disabilities, including women and children, and raising awareness about their rights in Darfur communities.

 Adam Hussein, a representative of Abu Shouk camp IDPs, called on all human rights organizations to support the National Human Rights Commission to achieve justice and equality among the Sudan population, and particularly in Darfur.

 

Mr. Hussein said that the workshop was a very important means of evaluating the work of the Commission.

The workshop recommended an increase in capacity-building programs on international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the Bill of Rights in Sudan’s interim national constitution. Participants also called for community-level awareness-raising campaigns on the role and mandate of the Commission.

The National Human Rights Commission was founded in accordance with the provisions of the Sudan’s interim constitution 2005. Among its activities, the Commission monitors the implementation of rights and freedoms, receives complaints on human rights violations and prepares an annual human rights report. The Commission also acts as a reference and source of information on human rights issues for the Government of Sudan and civil society organizations, and makes recommendations to the Government about ratifying human rights treaties.