Türkiye calls on Sudan’s generals to join the war; calls for ‘dangerous anti-human rights trends’ around the world

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk call the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Force, trapped in the conflict since April 15, to “issue clear instructions” to their subordinates that sexual violence will not be tolerated and to ensure that all offenders are held accountable.

Mr Türk called reports of sexual violence in Khartoum and Darfur “very disturbing” and said that although his Office was aware of at least 25 cases, he was concerned. the real number is much higher.

“General al-Burhan, General Dagalo… you must stop this senseless violence now,” he stressed, noting that efforts to end the conflict “must have human rights at the core.”

The persecution of women’s rights

At a press conference in Geneva, in a sweeping look at human rights hotspots and growing “dangerous” anti-human rights trends, Mr. Türk called for Hate women is a “disease” and slammed the crackdown on women’s rights in Afghanistan.

“I will never understand how anyone could so cruelly trample on the spirit of girls and women, erode their potential and push their country away,” he said. one sinks deeper and deeper into poverty and despair.”

He also commented on “intensification” of harassment of women in Irancalled on the country’s authorities to abolish regulations that criminalize failure to comply with the mandatory dress code and condemned the continued use of the death penalty “in substantial quantities”.

Misinformation steals the right to repression

The United Nations Head of Rights warned that “traffickers of lies and disinformation” are fueling anti-human rights movements, especially against LGBTQI+ people. He has sounded the alarm about “defamation by sections of society”, saying that turning people against each other is always detrimental to society as a whole.

Mr. Türk specifically expressed frustration at the worsening state of laws that criminalize LGBTQI+ people, such as the recent Uganda law that he introduced. previously called “devastated”.

High Commissioner also call out hate speech against migrants and refugees, as well as anti-migrant laws and policies, citing recent developments in the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Greece and Lebanon. He stressed the need for solidarity and respect for the rights of all in vulnerable situations.

Protesters take part in the Black Lives Matter rally in central London, UK. (document)

‘Systematic racism’

Recalling that Thursday will mark three years since the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in the United States, Mr Türk said he was deeply concerned about the frequent reports of death and injuries of people of African descent “during or after interactions with law enforcement in certain countries,” and that this targeted police brutality to indicate “systemic racism”.

Racist mockery at Real Madrid

Highlight the recent case of Brazilian football player Vinícius Júnior As a “clear reminder” of the prevalence of racism in sport, the United Nations’ head of rights has called on sports organizers to redouble their efforts to eliminate discrimination. race, while emphasizing the need to listen to and engage people of African descent in the solution-finding process.

Vinícius Júnior, a Real Madrid player, was the victim of racist behavior by football fans last week. Spanish police arrested several suspects on Tuesday in connection with hate crimes against footballers.

A stronger permission system

With the human rights situation in dire straits in so many parts of the world, Mr. Türk said that he saw the need to strengthen the UN human rights office (OHCHR) through additional funding.

United Nations High Commissioner Volker Türk concluded his visit to Colombia with a press conference in Bogota.

He says his ambition is to double the budget to $800 million, which could allow for a boost OHCHRpresence in the field. He reiterated that although human rights is one of the three pillars of the UN, it mobilizes only one very small portion regular budget of the Organization.

Expressing his belief in the Office’s local presence, the High Commissioner said he sees “great value” in an OHCHR acting as “bridge between civil society, human rights defenders, victims and state institutions“.

‘Back to basics’

Emphasizing the universality of human rights, Mr. Türk called it “a problem for everyone, everywhere”.

All countries can and should do better on human rights.

Mr. Türk also expressed his “fervent” hope that 75th anniversary Later Universal Declaration of the Rights of Manmarked this year, will “provide space and inspiration for all of us to go back to the basics – to find the roots of human rights values ​​in every culture, history and our beliefs, unite us in repelling the instrumentalization and politicization of human rights within and between nations”.