Madam President,
The Sudanese revolution, the bravery of the Sudanese people who made that revolution possible, and the democratic transition that followed the revolution, have been an inspiration not just to the High Commissioner, as she said this afternoon, but to my country and to this Council.
The military takeover of the 25 October was a betrayal of that Revolution and the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people. The UK has condemned that takeover and the human rights violations that have followed, so eloquently described by the High Commissioner. This dramatic deterioration in the human rights situation led the UK, along with our German, Norwegian, Sudanese and United States allies to call for this Special Session. I’d like to thank the other members of this Council who supported our call and the many delegations, particularly those from the African Group, who have worked with us so constructively and intensively over the last few days, on the draft resolution that we have before us today. Un grand merci a nos amis Africains.
We welcome once again the decisive action taken by the African Union in response to the military takeover and we echo the calls from the High Commissioner and the UN Security Council for the military to refrain from violence and fully respect human rights.
Madam President,
This Council has an essential role to play in upholding democracy and protecting and promoting human rights. It must speak with one voice today. We must ensure that the democratic gains of the Sudanese revolution are not lost and that the civilian-led government is immediately restored to power.
Madam President,
This afternoon, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave people of Sudan who have demonstrated in their millions on the streets of their country in defence of democracy, and of their fundamentals rights. I urge our fellow members of the Council to join us and to send a strong and clear message today that democracy must – and will – prevail.
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