Closure of UNMIS

UNMIS wound up its operations on 9 July 2011 with the completion of the interim period agreed on by the Government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed on 9 January 2005.

The mission ended its six years of mandated operations the same day South Sudan declared independence, following a CPA-provided referendum on 9 January 2011 that voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession.

In support of the new nation, the Security Council established a successor mission to UNMIS – the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – on 9 July for an initial period of one year, with the intention to renew for further periods as required.

UNMIS assists in preparations for rights review

5 Jul 2010

UNMIS assists in preparations for rights review

In assisting contributors to Sudan's report for the UN Human Rights Council under the 2011 Universal Period Review, UNMIS Human Rights section and the Sudanese Advisory Council on Human Rights (ACHR) held a workshop in Khartoum on 1 July.

Attendees included 24 representatives of the ACHR, the Government of Southern Sudan, the Southern Sudan Human Rights Council (SSHRC) and related organizations who will prepare the government report.

Under the Universal Periodic Review system, the Human Rights Council assesses all UN member states every four years. Sudan is scheduled for May 2011.

Addressing the workshop,ACHR Rappporteur Ahmed Idriss said "This workshop is very important, as it raises awareness for the participants on the report requirements." he recommended that the activity be followed up with others targeting the working group that will draft the report.

Dr. Adik Arap of the SSHRC stressed the importance of having a comprehensive report reflecting Sudan's diversity.

UNMIS Human Rights Officer Jose Maria Aranaz noted that "the UPR report to the Human Rights Council provides an opportunity to create a roadmap on human rights issues and a mechanism to address them".