03 February 2010 - The newly appointed Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights, Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, arrived in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher today.

He is expected to undertake occasional visits to the Sudan and engage in constructive dialogue with the Government and other relevant stakeholders on human rights concerns brought to his attention as mandated by the Human Rights Council.

Upon arrival, Mr. Othman was briefed by the UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Henry Anyidoho, the Director of Human Rights, Ms. Marie-Therese Keita, and other UNAMID substantive sections. The Independent Expert also paid a courtesy visit to the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Osman Kibir, and visited the Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and Swilinga village to assess first hand the returnees as reported.

Mr. Othman and his entourage are next scheduled to travel to Nyala, Zalingei and El Geneina in South and West Darfur respectively.