On 3 October 2023, a joint statement was delivered by ISHR on behalf of a group of Sudanese, regional and international organizations during the informal on the draft resolution “Responding to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis Caused by the Ongoing Armed Conflict in the Sudan”. The organizations called on states to support the establishment of an independent and international fact finding mission on Sudan during the ongoing 54th Council session.
We, the undersigned Sudanese and international organizations, call on the members of the Human Rights Council to adopt the (proposed) resolution on Sudan, establishing an independent and international fact finding mission, responding to the human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing war since April 15th.
National and international feminist and human rights groups reported mounting violations and atrocities in Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Atrocities documented included mass killings, sexual violence, ethnically motivated violence in Darfur, forced disappearance and indiscriminate bombardment on civilians areas.
The war in Sudan is considered one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. Access restrictions on humanitarian aid and lack of safe corridors threaten the lives of millions of people living in catastrophic conditions across Sudan, mostly women and children. More than 5 millions were displaced, thousands of people were killed and injured and dozens were sexually assaulted.
The absence of the state institutions and the rule of law led to worsening human rights violations in the country. Local justice systems and law enforcement institutions collapsed and have not functioned in most of Sudan since the war erupted. There is an essential need for the establishment of an independent and international fact finding mission to investigate human rights violations and collect evidence on abuses, GBV crimes and alleged war crimes.
We urge the council members to support the establishment of this mission to increase Sudanese people’s access to justice and accountability, and enhance the chances of creating a transitional justice process that will support the efforts of peacemaking in Sudan.
Signatures
- Sudanese Doctors for Human Rights
- Governance Programming Overseas
- Sudanese Women Rights Action (SUWRA)
- Nora center for combating sexual violence
- The Women Guardians Organization
- Almostagbal for Enlightenment and development organization
- The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in SouthWest Asia and North Africa (also known as WHRDMENA)
- International Service for Human Rights
- International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
- African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
- Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
- Centre for Democracy and Human Rights – CDD Mozambique
- West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN/ROADDH)
- CIVICUS
- Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network (Southern Defenders)
