Khartoum, 15 March 2021– The Sudan welcomes cooperation with GANHRI in building a strong, independent and pluralistic Paris Principles compliant national human rights institution (NHRI) to promote and protect human rights of all.

Building a NHRI that complies with the Paris Principles is one of the central commitments of the Transitional Government of Sudan, and a recommendation made to the Sudan by several United Nations bodies and mechanisms[1] as well as by the GANHRI.

From 13 to 15 March 2021, GANHRI Secretary Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri undertook a high level mission to the Sudan to exchange with representatives of the State and civil society on the role and functions of an NHRI and the Paris Principles.

Whilst the Sudan is currently developing draft legislation on a NHRI, the objectives of the mission were to offer GANHRI’s advice and support in that process in line with GANHRI’s mandate to support the establishment and strengthening of strong and independent NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles.

GANHRI Secretary Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri met with His Excellency General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, His Excellency Dr. Nasreddin Abdulbari – Minister of Justice, Her Exellency Dr. Mariam AlSadig Almahdi – Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with representatives from the Steering Committee of the National Commission for Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Office and with civil society organisations.

“I welcome the commitment from the authorities to building a strong and independent NHRI for the Sudan, and encourage that process to be an inclusive and participatory one, with broad consultations with civil society at all stages“, said GANHRI Secretary Al Marri at the end of the mission.

GANHRI Secretary also welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission’s Steering Committee on 14 March.

“The Sudan can count on GANHRI’s support in this important process. We look forward to offering our advice and experiences from peer NHRIs on the Paris Principles and their application in both legislation and practice”, concluded Dr Ali Marri.

As a next step, GANHRI in partnership with NANHRI and the UN Human Rights Office in the Sudan will co-host a seminar on the Paris Principles and NHRI good practices.

This will inform the ongoing considerations of the current draft legislation and prepare advice for the authorities on any amendments that may be required to ensure the proposed draft legislation complies with the key requirements of the Paris Principles.

The Paris Principles set out the minimum standards required by NHRIs to be considered credible and to operate effectively, including:

• Clearly defined and broad-based mandate based on universal human rights standards
• Autonomy from government
• Independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution
• Pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects their society, resulting from a broad, transparent and inclusive selection and appointment process of the decision-making body of the NHRI
• Adequate resources
• Adequate powers of investigation.

The Paris Principles also require NHRIs to develop systematic programs of engagement with civil society and with the international human rights community.