On 13 June, UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari met in Khartoum with Mashood Baderin, the United Nations Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, to discuss the findings of the Independent Expert’s five-day mission to the capital to assess developments related to the adoption of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

During the meeting, the JSR said that the issues of justice and human rights must be addressed in Darfur because they are the basis of the conflict. He also said that the DDPD offers stronger provisions than the previous Darfur Peace Agreement and pointed out that UNAMID is currently partnering with the newly established Darfur Regional Authority, the Government of Sudan and key stakeholders for the implementation on the DDPD.

The Independent Expert, whose mandate is to assist Sudan in assessing its needs for technical support and capacity-building programmes to fulfil its human rights obligations, said he is looking to mobilise financial support not only from Sudan, but also from donor countries and international organizations. Mr. Baderin, who noted that the donor community has expressed concern about the lack of freedom of the press and the necessity for law reform in Sudan, called attention to the positive steps Sudan has taken to improve the human rights situation in the country.

(Left) Human Rights Expert Mashood Baderin meets the UNAMID JSR. Photo by Albert González Farran

Mr. Baderin replaces Justice Mohamed Chande Osman as Independent Expert. The five-day visit to Khartoum is his first since he was appointed on 21 March 2012 by the UN Human Rights Council. During the trip, he met with academics, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, the Advisory Council for Human Rights and civil society organizations. On this occasion, he could not travel to Darfur.

Human Rights Council Resolution 18/16 requires UNAMID to provide the Independent Expert with the assistance necessary to fulfil his mandate.