By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KHARTOUM, Sudan – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted Friday to extend the mandate of Mohamed Chande Othman, a human rights expert and observer, in Sudan.   The Council extended the mandate by a margin of seven votes despite opposition from a number of African nations who favored terminating the mandate.  19 nations ultimately voted against renewal.  In accordance with Saturday’s resolution, Mr. Othman will remain in Sudan for an additional year to monitor the human rights situation in the country.

Mr. Othman, a justice on Tanzania’s court of appeals, reported last September that he was concerned that the military crackdown in Sudan has resulted in numerous human rights violations.   The expert noted that rights violations in the country “represent a serious setback” for development in the country.   The UNHRC renewed Mr. Othman’s mandate just as Sudan gears up for a referendum which could be a catalyst for an independent South Sudan.  Mr. Othman stated “[i]t is essential that authorities uphold human rights principles as a way of ensuring a peaceful and credible referendum.”

The government of Sudan however, objected to UNHRC’s decision.  Government officials contend that the country’s human rights record is good when compared to other countries and accused European nations of having a double standard when it comes to human rights.   A representative of the Arab League also blasted Friday’s vote, arguing that the extension was the result of Western pressure and done for political reasons.

The government’s comments are hardly reassuring.   Militants have accused the government of ethnic cleansing as it seeks to subdue rebels throughout the country.  The Sudan Liberation Army, on Friday, alleged that Sudanese forces killed 27 civilians in its latest week-long assault in the region.  The International Criminal Court has also issued arrest warrants against Sudan’s president Omar Hassan al-Bashir for committing genocide and war crimes.

Although an intensive investigation into the government’s campaign against the rebels in Sudan will be necessary to determine the extent of human rights violations in the country, it is clear that the government will continue its aggressive assertion of force and is willing to accept collateral civilian casualties until peace is established.   As recently as last month, Mr. Othman urged the U.N. to initiate an investigation into attacks against civilians by Sudanese forces.  Since 2003 over 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million displaced as a result of the fighting.

For more information, please see:

Reuters Africa – Darfur Rebels Say Sudan Army Raids Kill 27 – 2 Oct. 2010

Sudan Tribune – U.N. Rights Expert’s Mandate in Sudan Extended Despite Arab and African Objections – 2 Oct. 2010

Agence France Presse – U.N. Rights Council Keeps Sudan Under Scrutiny – 1 Oct. 2010

Associated Press – U.N. Expert Urges Probe of Recent Attacks in Darfur – 14 Sept. 2010