KHARTOUM, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The United States expressed deep concern Friday over the human rights record in Sudan due to what it termed as restrictions on religious and media freedom.
"The United States remains very concerned about Sudan's human rights record, including the continued closing of political space, and restrictions on religious freedom, freedom of expression, including press freedom," said the U.S. embassy in Khartoum in a statement.
The embassy's statement came few days ahead of an expected U.S. decision to fully lift the economic sanctions on Sudan on the condition that it fulfills certain terms in human rights fields.
The statement claimed continuous monitor of Sudan's government "in the five key areas noted in Executive Order 13761 to determine if it has met the order's requirements for the lifting of certain sanctions in July 2017."
It also said that the annual Human Rights Report have included the concerns in detail, adding that "the protection of human rights is deeply intertwined with peace and security."
The embassy further expressed hope that the Sudanese government would achieve stronger progress in human rights fields.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama issued a decision on Jan. 13, 2017, to cancel two executive orders imposing economic sanctions on Sudan.
Reports must be presented by July 13, 2017 indicating that the country is committed to certain terms including combating terrorism and fulfilling its commitments to ceasing hostilities at conflict zones, therefore to fully lift the sanctions on Sudan.
