UPR and Constitution Making Process Republic of the Sudan Experience

1. UPR and Constitution Making ProcessRepublic of the Sudan Experience The Advisory Council on Human Rights

2. The Presentation Objectives: Share the experience of the Sudan in relation to the UPR; Underline the Practical steps taken so far in relation to the Constitution making process. Highlight the Importance of the Involvement of the international community in the implementation process.

3. Situation analysis: Situation analysis were carried which lead to the identification of gabs in the legislations and practice. Wide consultation with all stake holders whether government, the public at large or civil society.

4. The Areas of Concern 1- The need to reform to a number of laws. 2- Capacity building of relevant national and local actors in the area of gender and the elimination of violence against women. The target groups are: LEO, NGOs, CBOs, IDPs, Women Parliamentarians, lawyers, state units on CVWC. As well as the academia.

5. 3- Increase awareness on and the respect of and strengthen the capacity of Sudanese officials and civil society in human rights and international humanitarian law. Responsibility and coordination is for NGOs, office of commissioner for refugees, MOFA, MOD, MOI, MOJ, BA, ACHR, HAC, SCOVA, PPAC. The target groups are personnel from all above mentioned.

6. 4- The administration of Justice at the national and state level. Responsible agencies are, police and prison’s authorities, ACHR, MOD, Bar Association, WCHR. Target groups are lEO, women groups, Bar Union, MoD, MoJ, Military personnel.

7. UPR Recommendations Main Areas: 1. Ratification of international treaties, e.g. CEDAW, CAT, ICPPED . 2. Constitutional and legislative framework, New constitution, press and Publications Act, Criminal Law , personal law ………………etc. 3. Human rights education to ensure that human rights violations are duly investigated. 4. Poverty alleviation and health rights. 5. Darfur. 6. Children rights

8. Priorities The priorities are: 1. Law reform 2. Administration of justice and rule of law 3. Women and Children rights 4. Fulfilment International obligations including submission of all the over due reports. 5. Good relations and cooperation with all the mechanisms whether international (treaty or charter based) or regional

9. UPR and Constitution Making Process UPR is a useful mechanism which brings all stake holders together. UPR leads to open dialogue with all stake holders. Constitution is the high law of the land and as such in needs wide consultation. UPR is one of the means of Social change and accountability and can be used in the process of Constitution making from this perspective

10. Constitution Making Process in Sudan Sudan is in the process of drafting a new constitution. One of the recommendations of the UPR is to start an open, inclusive and transparent dialogue a bout the new constitution. Sudan considered this recommendations and put it as one of the priorities of the implementation action plan

11. Implementation Constitution making forum in Khartoum organized as a joint activity between MoJ , UNDP with the participation of civil society .organizations This activity was followed by another 14 forums in 14 states of Sudan. Forums included, government officials, parliamentarians, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, academics, university students and others

12. Final Remarks Linking UPR to Constitution Making leads to: 1- Inclusive engagements of all actors as an international and national obligation as well. 2- Positive involvement of international mechanisms in the promotion and protection of human right. (UNDP involvement in the process). 3- Establish a solid ground for the accountability of the government internationally and nationally

13. Final Remarks cont. 4- The process encourages states to have a clear implementation action plan, short, medium and long term. 5- Sudan already took major steps to implement the recommendations of the UPR supported by UNDP.