CSOs urge creation of international tribunal to address war crimes in Sudan
December 23, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has called for the establishment of an international criminal tribunal to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The petition, signed by over 30 CSOs, emphasized the urgent need for such a tribunal to hold perpetrators accountable for their heinous acts and prevent the recurrence of violence.
The CSOs expressed their strong condemnation of the recent escalation of violence in Sudan, particularly the incursion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the Wad Madani area of Gezira State.
On December 18, the RSF entered Wad Madani city, a major humanitarian hub home to an estimated 5.9 million people. The once-peaceful city has now become a battleground, forcing over 500,000 people to flee from their homes in search of safety.
The CSOs’ petition outlined the devastating impact of the conflict, including widespread looting, sexual violence, killings, and forced disappearances attributed to the RSF. They also highlighted the disruption of essential services such as education and healthcare, which has affected millions of Sudanese citizens.
The group also emphasized the need for the UN Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission to remain active and for a Sudan fact-finding mission to be established by the Security Council to investigate the breaches and violations of Security Council resolutions in Darfur and Sudan.
The CSOs’ petition concludes by urging the international community to take immediate action to establish an international criminal tribunal for Sudan. They argue that such a tribunal is essential for ensuring justice for the victims of the conflict and preventing future atrocities.
The Sudanese civil society groups are drawing inspiration from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the first international court established to bring perpetrators of human rights violations in Africa to justice. Established by the UN Security Council on February 22, 1995, the ICTR’s primary objective was to hold accountable the individuals responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Just as the ICTR played a crucial role in bringing justice to the victims of the Rwandan genocide, the Sudanese civil society groups believe that an international tribunal for Sudan would serve a similar purpose. They argue that such a tribunal would provide a comprehensive and impartial forum for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes committed during the conflict in Sudan, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and preventing future atrocities.
The CSOs’ call for an international tribunal is gaining traction among the international community. In a recent statement, the United States Department of State expressed its support for efforts to establish an international accountability mechanism for Sudan. The statement noted that such a mechanism would play a crucial role in promoting peace and justice in the country.
The coalition of CSOs also accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of exacerbating the violence by indiscriminately bombarding urban areas in Khartoum and South Darfur, contributing to the mounting civilian death toll. They condemned the SAF’s ethnic profiling and arbitrary detention of civilians, alleging that these actions are based on ethnic and tribal affiliations.
The CSOs urged the United Nations and global actors to take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. They called for implementing a gender-responsive civilian protection framework that ensures unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and the establishment of a cessation of hostilities monitored by ground forces.
In addition to these measures, the CSOs advocated for forming civilian safe zones and establishing a broad-based and inclusive civilian-led conflict transformation process that empowers women to play a leading role.
(ST)