It is important that we appreciate that economic development is an indispensable adjunct to any human rights regime finding true meaning. I therefore encourage all members of this Council to extend more than rhetoric and extend to the Sudan every possible assistance at their disposal, Attorney General Mohan Peiris said.

Speaking during the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan at the 15th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva on September 17, the Attorney General said Sri Lanka looks forward to the Council ensuring constructive engagement and encouraging the Government of the Sudan in these difficult times in their through so that we together with Sudan can ensure an early transformation to lasting peace.

Here is the full text by the Attorney General:

Mr. President,

We have taken note of the reports of the Independent Expert and the statement made by him this morning.

The initiative of the Government of the Sudan to facilitate the visit of the Independent Expert, which took place early this year is commendable having regard to the openness. In this regard, my delegation has noted that the Independent Expert has commended the Sudanese Government for its cooperation and invaluable assistance extended to him during the visit. These measures taken by the Government of Sudan must be appropriately acknowledged.

Mr. President,

As we clearly see, the Government of the Sudan has made some encouraging progress in the recent past, especially in the area of legislative reform and passage of several new laws, in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Interim Constitution. Steps have also been taken by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Group of Experts on Darfur.

Mr. President,

With regard to the recommendations made by the Independent Expert pursuant to his visit to the Sudan, my delegation encourages Sudan to consider ratifying the remaining international instruments, in particular the Convention Against Torture, and seriously consider at least a moratorium on the execution of the death penalty, in recognition of its policy of promoting and protecting human rights.

In this regard, we have noted that Sudan has already signed the Convention on Torture and it is hoped that the newly elected Parliament will ratify this Convention in the near future, and take all such other measures that would promote and protect human rights.

Mr. President,

While recognizing the improvements that have been made in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sudan, my delegation looks forward to a more constructive and supportive approach by this Council in helping Sudan in further addressing the situation as one of urgency. In this regard, we appreciate the recommendation of the Independent Expert, requesting the United Nations to continue to provide technical assistance and capacity-building in accordance with assessed needs; in particular provide human rights training and support to judicial institutions, traditional and customary courts across the Sudan. It is important that we appreciate that economic development is an indispensable adjunct to any human rights regime finding true meaning. I therefore encourage all members of this Council to extend more than rhetoric and extend to the Sudan every possible assistance at their disposal.

My delegation looks forward to the Council ensuring constructive engagement and encouraging the Government of the Sudan in these difficult times in their through so that we together with Sudan can ensure an early transformation to lasting peace.

Thank you.