U.N. presses Khartoum on human rights

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KHARTOUM, Sudan, June 15 (UPI) -- The government of Sudan is called on to do more to expand its administrative capacity to tackle human rights issues, a visiting U.N. envoy said.

Mashood Adebayo Baderin, the United Nations' new rights expert on Sudan, briefed reporters at the end of his five-day mission to the country.

He acknowledged that Sudan had established a national commission for human rights but said more work was needed.

"There is a need for capacity building in the form of relevant human rights training for members of the judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the legislature, the police and non-governmental human rights organizations, amongst others," he said in a statement.

Baderin expressed further concern about the use of national security laws to inhibit the freedom of the press.

U.N. officials have expressed concern about conflicts between South Sudan and Sudan. Both sides signed a peace deal that paved the way to South Sudan's independence, though ethnic conflict, oil disputes and border clashes threaten the peace.

"My ultimate aim is to find the best way to improve the human rights situation in the republic of the Sudan that would eventually be reflected positively in the lives of the ordinary individuals in the country," said Baderin.

He'll present the findings from his visit to U.N. authorities in September.