United Nations Radio

The United Nations has expressed concern over trials in Sudan that sentenced to death 30 individuals found guilty for an attack in May on the Sudanese city, Omdurman, by the Justice and Equality Movement.

Ashraf Qazi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said the UN Mission in Sudan was concerned that the judicial process may not have met international standards.

Mr. Qazi said according to information available to the UN Mission, it would appear the accused were only given access to lawyers after the trials began and that confessions were obtained while the accused were held incommunicado and without legal counsel. The UN is also concerned that the court did not investigate allegations of ill treatment, as the defense requested, through proper medical exams.

The Special Representative is calling on the government of Sudan to comply with international standards, while recognizing the right and responsibility of the Government to prosecute and sentence those who commit criminal offenses. In capital punishment cases especially, Mr. Qazi stressed, the government has an obligation to rigorously observe all fair trial guarantees set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in Sudan's own interim constitution and bill of rights.

The UN Mission is also encouraging Sudan to abolish capital punishment and in the meantime establish a moratorium on executions.

Diane Bailey, UN Radio.

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