CSOs call for establishment of independent mechanism on Sudan
September 1, 2023 (GENEVA) – 114 civil society organizations have called for the establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate human rights violations and abuses committed by all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The call was made in a joint statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council, four months after conflict erupted in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan.
Also stressed is the need for accountability from all parties to the conflict in Sudan.
“Impunity is at the heart of the current crisis, and addressing it should be a priority. The failure of the international community to hold accountable those responsible for international crimes in Darfur decades ago has sent a dangerous message to all parties that they can continue to commit crimes with impunity,” it reads in part.
The UN Human Rights Council, during a special session held on May 11, 2023, adopted a resolution, which enhanced the mandate of the designated Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Expert on Sudan.
The resolution also enhanced monitoring and documentation of human rights violations and abuses committed since the October 25, 2021 military takeover, including those arising directly from the current conflict, as well as reporting to the Council.
The various organizations, in the statement, expressed concerns that the violence in Sudan has continued to escalate with the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) showing no sign of an end.
“Human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict have had a serious impact on civilians, with thousands now reported dead, injured, or missing,” noted the joint statement.
Millions of people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, it stressed.
Amid the ongoing conflict, concerns were raised on the situation in Sudan West Darfur region, where the violence has taken on an increasingly inter-ethnic dimension that is reminiscent of the crimes committed in the region 20 years ago.
Some of the crimes, they said, may amount to crimes under international law.
The civil society entities emphasized the need to hold perpetrators accountable.
“We need to unequivocally support accountability processes as we witness the resumption of violence across Sudan, including in Darfur, Blue Nile, and North and South Kordofan states,” the statement stressed.
About 4.8 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the conflict between the SAF and the RSF while an estimated 1 million have crossed into neighbouring countries, the UN said.
(ST)