Human Rights Watch urges 'full respect' for rights of Sudanese people

The end of Bashir's reign is a "momentous opportunity" for upholding human rights and the rule of law in Sudan, Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York-based advocacy group, has said.

On Thursday, the organisation called on Sudanese authorities to answer the demands of protesters calling for freedom, justice and peace.

The rights group also urged international organisations, including the United Nations and the African Union to push for "full respect for the basic rights of Sudanese people" from Defence Minister Awad Ahmad Ibn Auf, who is now in charge of the government in Khartoum.

"This significant development reinforces the authorities’ obligation to address egregious human rights abuses suffered by so many Sudanese over the last three decades," Jehanne Henry, associate Africa director at HRW, said in a statement.

"Al-Bashir’s ouster is a testament to the tenacity of the protesters, who remained in the streets despite the government’s violent repression."