The United Nations Transition Support Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) called on the Sudanese authorities to take legal action against a person who appeared in a video clip threatening to assassinate the head of the mission, Volker Peretz.
And a man called Abdel Moneim Dafa Allah, during a political symposium held by the “Sudan Call” coalition, called for a fatwa to shed and waste the blood of the head of the “UNITAMS” mission, Volker Peretz, and announced his donation to carry out the assassination.
“We call on the Sudanese authorities to take legal action and ensure a proper investigation,” said a statement from Unitams spokeswoman May Yacoub.
The Mission was deeply concerned about the video clip circulating in the media of a man speaking at a public event and requesting a fatwa to allow him to assassinate the head of the mission.
She stressed that the language of incitement and violence will only lead to deepening divisions on the ground, but will not deter the mission from carrying out its duties.
Yacoub renewed the commitment of the Head of Mission to support the people of Sudan in achieving a political transition to democratic governance as outlined in its mandate issued by the United Nations Security Council.
In the context, the National Commission for Human Rights in Sudan said that it is deeply disturbed and concerned by the increase in hate speech and violence that is being circulated in a number of platforms, including the threat of international figures and diplomatic envoys.
A statement issued by the Commission indicated that Sudan is obligated to criminalize and punish all hate speech and calls for violence in accordance with its ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant international and regional treaties.
She noted the authorities’ indolence in taking measures to prevent, suppress and punish those involved in these speeches, which led to their reinforcement, and called on the authorities to take urgent measures to curb hate speech and violence.
For its part, the Darfur Bar Association said in a statement that the threat to assassinate the UN official makes its owner liable for practicing terrorism, threatening to kill and disturbing public safety.
She explained that these acts constitute a criminal offense dangerous to society, and she held the organizers of the conference fully responsible for allowing that person to practice the legally criminal acts.
The authority announced that it had begun taking the necessary legal action against the man and whoever participated in this criminal act.
