UN Welcoming Commitments in Sudan’s ‘Framework Agreement’

Radhouane Nouicer during his press conference in Khartoum on Thursday. (SUNA)
Radhouane Nouicer during his press conference in Khartoum on Thursday. (SUNA)
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UN Welcoming Commitments in Sudan’s ‘Framework Agreement’

Radhouane Nouicer during his press conference in Khartoum on Thursday. (SUNA)
Radhouane Nouicer during his press conference in Khartoum on Thursday. (SUNA)

Radhouane Nouicer, expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, has welcomed commitments on the human rights contained in the political framework agreement signed between the political forces and the military component.

He expressed hope that this helps “set a roadmap to settle the outstanding issues with a broad participation to achieve freedom, peace, justice and the formation of a civil government."

The expert also welcomed the resumption of legal and institutional reforms with the participation of the largest number of Sudanese citizens in the coming government.

Nouicer said during a press conference in Khartoum that the Human Rights Commission should have pivotal matters in the program of the next government.

He pointed to his visit to Khartoum and West Darfur and to the “huge challenges facing Sudan,” and the issues of displacement and refugees.

“The refugees hope to return to their homes”, he stated, adding that in order to achieve this, security and political stability must be achieved and the full reasons behind their displacement and the conflicts that occurred in general must be resolved.

"During the meetings we held with civil society representatives, their message was to demand accountability for those responsible for human rights violations," he said.

He stressed that accountability and transitional justice issues require credible practical mechanisms that address crimes to represent a new legal structure that prevents the spread of crimes.

Nouicer extended thanks to the authorities in Sudan for their cooperation, facilitation of the mission, and their support for his visit and the frank and constructive discussion on human rights issues in Sudan.

The human rights expert met with the civil society authorities and with many victims of human rights violations in the states of Khartoum and West Darfur.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.