Sudan withdraws UNHRC candidacy

by admin
Aug 30, 2012
Following criticism from human rights groups and pro-democracy activists, Sudan has withdrawn its application for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, reports the Associated Press.

Sudan’s UN Mission said in a letter on Friday that "it is no longer interested in taking up one of the vacancies available in the Human Rights Council" although a reason for withdrawal was not cited.

The nation was effectively guaranteed a seat as it was only one of five African candidates to fill five African seats, despite accusations of genocide, war crimes and various other human rights violations against President Omar al-Bashir.

The UN director for Human Rights Watch, Philippe Bolopion, welcoming the decision said,
"The worst human rights offenders are slowly recognizing they are not welcome on the Human Rights Council."
 
"Sudan joins notorious rights violators Syria, Iran, Belarus, Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan whose hypocritical aspirations to sit on the Council have properly led to embarrassing retreat."
Read the full AP article here.

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