November 23, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons of the UN’s Human Rights Council in September 2010, Chaloka Beyani, has urged the Sudanese government to ensure greater respect for the rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and provide humanitarian assistance in the war-torn regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Beyani said in a press release at the conclusion of his nine-day visit to the country on Thursday that concerted efforts are needed to improve the “dire” situation of IDPs in Sudan in terms of safety, and their basic rights to adequate food, shelter, health, education, water, and livelihoods.

The UN official also encouraged the government to ensure provision of humanitarian assistance in the border regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where a 16-month conflict with local insurgents has displaced and severely affected 908,000, according to UN figures.

The government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) signed an agreement in August with the UN, AU and Arab League to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance in the two states but the deal remains unimplemented as all sides traded blame of causing delays.

Beyani called on the government to ensure the protection and human rights of IDPs of South Sudanese origins and facilitate safe, informed and voluntary returns to their home country which seceded from Sudan in July last year.

(ST)