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Human Rights Council 7th Session U.S. Statement - Interactive Dialogue on Sudan Geneva, Thank you, Mr. President. The United States welcomes Ms. Samar’s comprehensive report and her recommendations to the Human Rights Council. We regret that Ms. Samar has faced significant lack of cooperation from the Government of Sudan in relation to the conflict in Sudan. The United States is disappointed that Ms. Samar and the group of independent experts have not been permitted to visit Sudan to investigate the ongoing reports of human rights violations taking place there. We call on the Government of Sudan to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in accordance with her mandate. While it is important to be able to visit countries of concern, and to speak with both government officials and civil society on the ground about human rights issues, the report under discussion in today’s interactive dialogue demonstrates that valuable information can be brought to light through other credible sources as well. We remain deeply concerned about violence and insecurity in the country, particularly in Darfur. We call on the Government of Sudan to end its obstructionist behavior and instead facilitate the rapid deployment of the robust UN/African Union peacekeeping operation to Darfur (UNAMID). Ms. Samar notes that the Government of the Sudan’s opposition to the deployment some non-African contingents is not helpful. All parties, including the Government of Sudan and rebel groups, must cease hostilities, refrain from threats against civilians and peacekeepers, and cooperate fully in the ongoing political process to reach a peaceful, sustainable solution to the Darfur crisis. We urge the members of the Government of National Unity to quickly and fully implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended a 22-year civil war between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) of southern Sudan and the Government of Sudan. We agree with Ms. Samar’s assessment in her most recent report that, in the Darfur region, gross violations of human rights continue to be perpetrated. While the Government of the Sudan has the primary responsibility to ensure protection of civilians, the steps taken on the ground have been insufficient to make a tangible impact in Darfur. She rightly points out that flight clearances and access to land and water for the hybrid UN/AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur have been obstructed. We echo Ms. Samar’s concerns regarding respect for women’s rights in Sudan, in particular in light of evidence of ongoing violence against women and girls in Darfur and other parts of the country. As she states, “The protection of civilians during armed conflicts is an absolute priority.” Once again, we commend the Special Rapporteur for her exemplary work under difficult circumstances and urge the Council to fully support her recommendations and mandate.
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