HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONCLUDES FOURTH SPECIAL SESSION

The Human Rights Council this afternoon concluded its two-day fourth special session, adopting by consensus a decision to dispatch a high-level mission to assess the human rights situation in Darfur and the needs of Sudan in this regard after expressing its concern regarding the seriousness of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Darfur.

According to the decision, the mission will be made up of five highly qualified persons, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council following consultation with the members of the Council, as well as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan. The Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights are to provide administrative, technical and logistical assistance to the mission, and the High Commissioner will consult as appropriate with Sudan. The mission was requested to report to the Council at its fourth session next spring.

At the end of today's meeting, in concluding remarks, Council President Luis Alfonso de Alba agreed with delegations as to the importance of the decision that the Council had just taken – both for the situation in Darfur, and for the Council itself and for its consolidation. He reaffirmed his intention to conduct wide ranging consultations before appointing the members of the mission to be sent to Darfur. He recognized the importance of coordinating and cooperating at all times, not only with the United Nations authorities – and he already expressed need for support from the African Union – but mostly with the Government and authorities of Sudan. It was of utmost urgency that this decision be implemented for the good of Sudan and the good of the people in Darfur.

Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim of Sudan expressed his deep appreciation for those who recognized the full cooperation of his Government. He confirmed that Sudan’s cooperation would be maintained. He considered that the task of the mission was not easy or small in assessing the facts on the ground. He hoped that the work would be transparent, impartial and accurate. The rebels would also appreciate such a mission aimed at establishing peace, which was the interest of all parties.

This was the fourth special session convened by the Human Rights Council since its establishment in June 2006. At previous special sessions the Council has considered the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; the grave situation of human rights in Lebanon caused by Israeli military operations; and human rights violations emanating from Israeli military incursions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the recent one in northern Gaza and the assault on Beit Hanoun.

The fourth regular session of the Human Rights Council will be held from 12 March to 5 April 2007.

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