UK-funded training for the Sudan National Human Rights Commission
British Ambassador Dr Peter Tibber has opened the UK-funded training for the Sudan National Human Rights Commission.
Sudan’s National Human Rights Commission was established in 2012, and in collaboration with the University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights, and the Independent Commission on Human Rights for Palestine, the British Embassy in Khartoum has sponsored human rights trainers from Egypt, Palestine and the UK to visit Sudan for one week as part of a longer-term capacity-building programme in the field of human rights.
On the eve of the training Dr Peter Tibber said,
“The establishment of the Sudan National Human Rights Commission in January 2012 was a significant step in ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights in Sudan. I am delighted that we are able to sponsor this training, in particular because the majority of the trainers are from the Arab world and have a background of working on human rights in a majority Islamic context, which we recognise is important in Sudan.”
Speaking at the opening, the Chairman of the Commission, Ustaza Amal Eltinay said,
“We hope that this workshop be a continuing exercise for the members of the Commission to acquaint themselves with the Human Rights mechanisms and the way to deal with them; and to look closely to how Human Rights Commissions Work. It should also enable the Commission to master how to interact and build relationships with Civil Society and non- Governmental Organizations. We hope, also, that the workshop will be an opportunity to acquaint with the experiences of sisterly national institutions in countries like UK, Egypt, and Palestine.
“The National Human Rights Commission of Sudan is strongly resolved to carry out our mandate, fully, without fear or bias, a matter that we asserted in our Oath as members of the Commission. At the outset of the training, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a special message of thanks and appreciation to the British Government, which specially made valuable efforts, through its honourable Ambassador in Khartoum.”
Dr Tibber added:
“The UK is committed to supporting all institutions which work to protect and promote human rights in Sudan: governmental bodies, independent institutions such as the commission, civil society and citizens all have a role to play.
“We are concerned that citizens who attempted to present a memorandum to the Sudanese National Human Rights Commission on 30 December were prevented from doing so by security services. The Commission should be allowed to fulfil its mandate and must retain its independence in order for it to be an effective tool for the protection of human rights. This will help in the peaceful development of Sudan.”
During the training, the trainers will work with the National Human Rights Commission, the Faculty of Law in the University of Khartoum and with civil society and government officials. Following this training, there will also be a mentoring programme established between the Sudan National Human Rights Commission and the Independent Commission on Human Rights in Palestine.