STATEMENT
Human Rights Council. 32nd Special Session Sudan November 2021
Norwegian Statement, as delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway.
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5 November 2021
President,
Norway welcomes this special session on Sudan.
Norway denounces the military takeover in Sudan. We are deeply concerned about the consequences for the human rights situation. Up until the military takeover, there was substantial progress made in the governance of the country, including commitments to democratic transformation, inclusive development, protection of civilians and human rights.
We have condemned the suspension of the transitional institutions and all measures contrary to the 2019 Constitutional Declaration and the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement. We call for the release of all political detainees and strongly urge the military leaders to start a real dialogue with the civilian side in order to restore the civilian-led transitional government.
There is no alternative; there can be no return to authoritarian rule.
We emphasize the importance of the full respect of human rights, the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
We stand firmly behind the Sudanese peoples’s effort to establish a democratic and peaceful future.
Thank you