UN’s rights commissioner Bachelet urged Sudanese authorities to have a proportionate approach to protests, blaming security forces for using live bullets against protesters.
The UN rights chief called on Sudanese authorities to launch an independent investigation after security forces killed at least nine demonstrators attending a mass protest demanding an end to military rule.
Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement on Friday that she was "alarmed" at Thursday's killings, including of a 15-year-old child, "even after the police had announced they would not use lethal force to disperse the demonstrators."
The mass demonstration, which saw tens of thousands turn out across the country, was met with the deadliest violence so far this year.
The death toll from protest-related violence has reached 113 since the military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan last October.
The latest fatality was reported on Friday after a demonstrator died from wounds sustained at a June 24 rally, according to medics.
"So far, no-one has been held accountable for these deaths," Bachelet said, pointing to reports indicating that during Thursday's demonstrations, "joint security forces used live bullets, as well as tear gas and water cannon against protesters."
"According to medical sources, most of those killed were shot in the chest, head, and back," she said.
Thousands of protesters continue to march in Sudan's capital of Khartoum against the country's ruling generals pic.twitter.com/20MxdjavTq
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) July 1, 2022
'Lethal force is last measure'
The UN rights chief also decried that security forces had arrested at least 355 protesters across the country, including at least 39 women and "a considerable number of children."
"I again stress to the Sudanese authorities that force should be used only when strictly necessary and in full compliance with the principles of legality, necessity, precaution, and proportionality," she said.
"In no case is force permissible to dissuade or intimidate protesters from exercising their rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly, or to threaten them with harm for doing so," she insisted.
"Lethal force is a measure of last resort and only in cases where there is an imminent threat to life or of serious injury."
Bachelet highlighted that the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are protected under international law.
"I call on authorities to conduct an independent, transparent, thorough, and impartial investigation into the response by the security forces in accordance with relevant international standards," she said.
"Victims, survivors, and their families have a right to truth, justice and reparations."
Source: AFP
Social media is bold.
Social media is young.
Social media raises questions.
Social media is not satisfied with an answer.
Social media looks at the big picture.
Social media is interested in every detail.
social media is curious.
Social media is free.
Social media is irreplaceable.
But never irrelevant.
Social media is you.
(With input from news agency language)
If you like this story, share it with a friend!
We are a non-profit organization. Help us financially to keep our journalism free from government and corporate pressure
0 Comments