Canada Concerned by Human Rights Violations During Sudan Elections

OTTAWA, Canada, April 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada is gravely concerned by reports of human rights violations leading up to and during the recent elections in Sudan. The detention and maltreatment of activists and the censorship of media are clear violations of the fundamental freedoms of the Sudanese people.

“Given such an environment, Canada is concerned the elections do not reflect the will of the people of Sudan.

“We call on the Government of Sudan to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, to release all political detainees and to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for recent violations.

“We also call on the Government of Sudan to fulfill its commitments to a genuine, inclusive national dialogue, including agreeing to an immediate cessation of hostilities in the states of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.”