Adoption of Declaration of Guiding Principles for Constitution Making in Sudan

Sudanese civil society calls for a constitution that recognizes the country’s diversity and promotes equality

(18 June 2013) On 6 June scores of prominent Sudanese journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, and political activists adopted a Declaration of Guiding Principles for Constitution Making in Sudan.

Building on constitutional initiatives undertaken by civil society actors inside Sudan, delegates discussed and adopted guiding principles for the Sudanese constitution making process and future content of the constitution of Sudan.

The seminal meeting took place in Nairobi, Kenya against a backdrop of systematic crack-downs on civil society, political activists, the media and independent voices in Sudan. Deeply concerned that the prevailing social and political climate in Sudan is not conducive to the meaningful participation of the Sudanese people in determining their future constitution, delegates set out essential pre-requisites for the commencement of the constitution making process, including an end to all armed conflicts in the country.

Conscious of a deepening national crisis characterised by extreme political polarisation, grave human rights violations, and ongoing conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, delegates agreed on the need for a constitution that establishes a pluralistic and democratic system of governance, and one that respects ethnic, religious and cultural diversities in Sudan. Other key guiding principles included respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality and the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women, the achievement of social justice and the equitable distribution of wealth and power, and an end to impunity and the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms.

Background

Sudan is yet to pass a new constitution following the July 2011 secession of South Sudan. Civil society groups have been calling for an inclusive and transparent public consultation on the future constitution to ensure the constitution that is adopted reflects the country’s diversity, promotes equality, and protects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Sudanese.

The Declaration of Guiding Principles on Constitution Making in Sudan was adopted following a four-day conference on ‘The Role of Civil Society in Sudan’s Constitution Making Process’ convened in Nairobi on 3-6 June by the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) in partnership with the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). Over four days, Sudanese experts presented and debated papers concerning the history of constitution making in Sudan and international standards on the same, Sudanese civil society initiatives on the constitution, the future bill of rights, women’s rights, transitional justice, citizenship and the proposal of the Government of Sudan for the permanent constitution. Delegates were joined by experts from Egypt and Kenya, who presented comparative papers concerning recent constitutional efforts in those countries and shared recommendations for the way forward.

The Declaration was adopted as an initial step towards deeper cooperation and coordination between civil society actors on Sudan’s future permanent Constitution. The meeting of 83 experts was held in Nairobi against a backdrop of systematic crack-downs on civil society, political activists, the media and independent voices in Sudan.

The Declaration of Guiding Principles for Constitution Making in Sudan can be viewed online in English here.

Contact:

Osman Hummaida, Executive Director, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies +44-7956-095738 (London) / info@acjps.org.

This post is also available in: Arabic