In the resolution on Sudan, the Commission incorporated FIDH’s proposals calling on the Sudanese transitional authorities to strengthen the country’s judicial system and ensure its independence, undertake independent investigations in relation to the 3 June massacre, and develop a transitional justice framework that adheres to the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP).
The resolution also incorporated FIDH’s call to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure that the ongoing proceedings against Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman support the active and effective participation of victims in terms of their personal safety and in the provision of interim support and relief measures through the Assistance Programme within the Trust Fund for Victims.
FIDH made these proposals to the Commission on the basis of collaboration with its Sudanese member organisations, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) and the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM). A notable aspect of this work is the 2019 report, “Will There Be Justice for Darfur? Persisting Impunity in the Face of Political Change,” which was based on a joint fact-finding mission by the three organisations. FIDH and its Sudanese partners will continue to be actively engaged in Sudan’s transition, prioritising providing input on the proposed transitional justice law, which must ensure that victims are informed and effectively consulted on the issue of accountability and documenting emerging human rights violations.
The Commission’s Resolution on Human and Peoples’ Rights as a central pillar of successful responses to covid-19 and recovery from its socio-political impacts largely jibes with some of the issues raised by FIDH in its oral statement to the Commission on the human rights situation in Africa. FIDH’s statement highlighted the need for accountability for violations committed by security officers enforcing curfews and lockdowns as part of covid-19 responses.
On conducting elections during the covid-19 pandemic, FIDH called on States to ensure that decisions to either postpone or move forward with elections be based on an inclusive and consultative approach involving both State and non-state actors. FIDH also called attention to the plight of migrants during the covid-19 pandemic by insisting that response measures such as border closures must not violate the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants. Ultimately, the Commission’s resolution validates the documentation and positions of FIDH and its member organisations as captured in our dossier on the covid-19 pandemic and human rights.
FIDH will continue to work closely with the Commission and its member organisations as we seek to monitor and advance the implementation of these resolutions.
The Commission adopted the resolutions during its 66th ordinary session, which took place from 13 July to 7 August 2020.