UN rights body holds urgent session in wake of Sudan coup

By JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations’ top human rights official has condemned actions by military leaders in Sudan following a coup almost two weeks ago and called on them to let civilian rule return. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet decried excessive use of force by security forces that has left at least 13 people dead and more than 300 injured since the coup. She also expressed concern about “numerous” arrests and disappearances of civil society and protest leaders, journalists, and activists. Bachelet spoke during an urgent Human Rights Council session on Sudan. Britain, the United States, Germany and Norway led a push to commission an expert to monitor the situation in the African country.