GENEVA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Idriss Jazairy, on Monday welcomed the U.S. decision to lift sanctions against Sudan after two decades of enforcement.
"The sanctions have been enforced by all Sudan's trading partners and I believe they have had a major effect on vulnerable population groups," said Jazairy.
According to a UN source, Jazairy and the UN Independent Expert on Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, have worked behind the scenes over the past 16 months to bring about conditions leading to the decision.
"The U.S. decision opens new perspectives for progress in Sudan and for the reduction of poverty in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda," said Jazairy.
"It will also contribute to the stability of the whole region and restore the country's potential to become the breadbasket of north-east Africa," he added.
The United States on Oct. 6 decided to lift its economic sanctions on Sudan permanently, citing Sudan's "sustained positive actions to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, improve humanitarian access throughout Sudan, and maintain cooperation with the United States on addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism."
The U.S. State Department announced that the decision would go into effect as of current Oct. 12.
The United States has been imposing sanctions on Sudan since 1997 and listing it one of the countries sponsoring terrorism.
