KHARTOUM, July 21, 2026 (SUNA) – Sudan on Tuesday launched preparations for its Fourth National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at a preparatory workshop held at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Khartoum. The event, organized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in cooperation with the National Human Rights Mechanism, brought together OHCHR representatives, members of the committee established under Justice Minister’s Decision No. 40 of 2026, and legal and human rights experts. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Justice, National Human Rights Mechanism Rapporteur and Head of the Legal Sector Yasser Sayed Ahmed described the workshop as the official launch of the process to prepare Sudan’s fourth UPR report for submission to the UN Human Rights Council. He said the UPR is an interactive peer-review mechanism aimed at improving human rights conditions, protecting human dignity, and helping states fulfill their international obligations. He stressed that Sudan’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights is rooted in national will, adding that preparation of the report is a comprehensive, participatory national process. Sayed Ahmed also commended the strategic partnership with the OHCHR Country Office, noting that the workshop is intended to foster dialogue, exchange expertise, and deepen understanding of the UPR process. He expressed hope that it would produce a clear roadmap for the committee’s work and broaden consultations to include Sudan’s states and key stakeholders involved in promoting and protecting human rights. The OHCHR representative praised the National Human Rights Mechanism’s efforts and reaffirmed the Office’s support for preparing the report. He noted that the UPR process is based on three reports and said the workshop was the first on the UPR to be held since the outbreak of the war.BH/BH