I had an interesting day last week. It began and ended with me handing out certificates to participants on courses the British Embassy had funded. The courses were for two very different Sudanese institutions. But they covered some common ground.
The day began at the Higher Military Academy at the closing ceremony of a course we fund for middle-ranking officers called “Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context”.
This is all about increased awareness, of the range of processes and techniques that may be utilised to enhance the effective governance and management of defence, with particular focus on how a professional Armed Force supports defence and security policy for national and international security; in a national, regional and global context.
There is a substantial chunk on the importance of respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law. I sat in on one of those session and was impressed by the frankness with which these sensitive issues were addressed and the engagement of the participants. The course is delivered by top UK educational institutions: The United Kingdom Defence Academy and Cranfield University.
I imagine that not many Sudanese know we do this; and perhaps not everyone would approve. So why do we? Because we have an interest in global security.
We believe that if militaries and their political masters understand the strategic context and security challenges they will make the right decisions. Decisions based on a wish to deliver peace and stability for their people and thereby contribute to global and national stability and development.
I was back delivering certificates at the end of the day too. This time to members of Sudan’s National Human Rights Commission. Support for human rights is one priority for our work in Sudan as it is in many other countries around the world. We believe that our interests and those of Sudan are best served in an international society that is based on good governance, democracy and the rule of law.
Formed just one year ago, the National Human Rights Commission is the youngest Commission in the Arab world.
Trainers from the University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre, the Independent Commission on Human Rights in Palestine and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights came to Sudan at our expense to deliver interactive training for the Commission on a range of human rights issues.
In addition, the trainers also ran dedicated sessions for the Government of Sudan, civil society, universities and the media.
A lot was achieved. One highlight was a workshop held between representatives of civil society and members of the Commission where there was a frank, but very positive discussion over how they could and should work together.
At the end of the workshop, civil society representatives and the Commission set out what each expected of the other – the Commission wanted to be held to account by NGOs; civil society also wanted to cooperate with the Commission. I think barriers were broken down that will cement relations between the Commission and civil society for the future.
The Human Rights Commission has a vital role to play in protecting and promoting human rights in Sudan. It’s not always an easy role. But there are many people in Sudan in civil society, academia, and in government who are committed to the same goal. They are there to help and they made those commitments of partnership to the Commission last week.
You might think that it is hard to envisage two institutions more different than the military and the Human Rights Commission. Yet in their very different ways the mission of both is to defend and promote core Sudanese interests. And it is our interests to help them to develop in the right direction.
That’s why I spent my day delivering certificates to them both.