United Nations A/HRC/21/L.4 General Assembly Distr.: Limited 24 September 2012 Original: English ORAL REVISIONS Human Rights Council Twenty-first session Agenda item 10 Technical assistance and capacity-building Senegal (on behalf of the African Group): draft resolution 21/… Technical assistance for the Sudan in the field of human rights The Human Rights Council, Guided by the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant instruments, Reaffirming the obligation of States to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and protection of all human rights, Recognizing the developments taking place in the Sudan, and the record of the Government of the Sudan in the promotion and protection of human rights, Noting with concern the human rights abuses and violations by all parties, in particular in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, Reaffirming Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 18/16 of 29 September 2011, 1. Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Independent Expert for his work and his recommendations; 3. Notes that the Independent Expert commended the cooperation extended by the Government of the Sudan to him during his most recent visit to the country; 4. Welcomes the commitment by the Government of the Sudan to resolve the outstanding issues with the Government of South Sudan; 5. Also welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government of the Sudan and the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the African Union for the assessment and delivery of humanitarian assistance to war-affected civilians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States; 6. NotesStrongly affirms the need for the positive commitment of all stakeholders to the effective implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, particularly the chapters on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and on justice and reconciliation, and urges non-signatory groups to join it without delay; 7. Welcomes the continued work of the Sudanese Advisory Council on Human Rights aimed at the promotion and protection of human rights in the country; 8. Also welcomes the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission as an independent mechanism for promotion and protection of human rights in the Sudan, and urges the Government of Sudan to provide it with the necessary resources; 9. Further welcomes the submission by the Government of the Sudan of its first report for the universal periodic review, acknowledges the steps taken by the Government to implement the recommendations accepted as highlighted by the Independent Expert in his report, and notes the need to specify time frames for implementation strategies; 10. Requests the Independent Expert to assist the Government in its strategy to implement the recommendations remaining; 1110. Urges the Government of the Sudan to rebuild a lasting climate of confidence and trust with civil society organizations and the international community, and to facilitate ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the country; 1211. Urges Member States, relevant United Nations agencies and other stakeholders to support the national efforts of the Government of the Sudan, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 18/16, with a view to further improving the situation of human rights in the country, and to respond to its requests for technical assistance; 1312. Notes with concern the humanitarian situation in the provinces of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and calls upon all parties to make every effort to immediately end violence and to halt clashes, to facilitate access for humanitarian assistance and to take action to strengthen respect for the rule of law in the two provinces, and to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms; 1413. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the Sudan with the necessary technical support and training; 1514. Urges the Government of the Sudan to continue its cooperation with the Independent Expert, including by giving him access to the entire country, in particular in Darfur, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, in order to assess and verify the situation of human rights, to determine technical assistance needs and to report on his findings; 1615. Decides to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert to the Sudan under agenda item 10 for a period of one year, requests the Independent Expert to continue his engagement with the Government of the Sudan with a view to implementing the projects that will further help the Sudan to fulfil its human rights obligations, and to submit a report to the Human Rights Council for consideration at its twenty-fourth session; 1716. Requests the Independent Expert to assist the government in its strategy to implement the remaining universal periodic review accepted recommendations; 17. Decides to continue considering this issue in accordance with its programme of work under agenda item 10. A/HRC/21/62. A/HRC/WG.6/11/SDN/1 and Corr.1. A/HRC/21/L.4 A/HRC/21/L.4 \* MERGEFORMAT 2 \* MERGEFORMAT 3 GE.12-17039