France strongly condemns amputations in Sudan

The French government on Thursday strongly condemned the practice of "legal amputations" in Sudan, calling such an act "barbaric." Several days ago, it was reported that Sudan had carried out a double amputation punishment, which contravenes international pacts that Khartoum has signed and ratified on civil and political rights.  Reports said that a man had a hand and foot amputated by order of the Sudanese courts on February 14. This would violate international treaties on torture and undue punishment signed but not ratified by Khartoum.  "France strongly condemns the application in Sudan of a punishment of double amputation," Paris said.  "We remain concerned in the face of the situation of human rights in Sudan. We urge the Sudanese authorities to put an end to amputation practices and ratify without delay the UN Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment, which Sudan signed in 1986".