The 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council

15 June – 07 July 2026

3 July 2026

Urgent Debate on the Human Rights Situation in and Around El Obeid, North Kordofan, in the Context of the Ongoing Conflict in the Sudan

By Anila Atiq / GICJ

Executive Summary

In light of the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, the Human Rights Council called an urgent debate to address the rapidly worsening human rights situation in and around El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. Growing levels of violence, concerns about impending mass atrocities, and deteriorating humanitarian situations impacting civilians stranded in the region formed part of the discussion. UN Human Rights High Commissioner, Volker Türk, published what he called a "red alert," urging people to the impending human rights tragedy in Sudan. The possibility of mass murders, indiscriminate attacks, sexual violence, forced relocation, and blockage of humanitarian aid has caused serious worry for delegations, international organisations, and civil society organisations. The discussion emphasised how urgently international action is needed to safeguard civilians, guarantee humanitarian access, prevent atrocity crimes, and support accountability systems, such as the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in and around El Obeid, which places civilians, particularly large numbers of internally displaced people, at grave risk. The Centre urges all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, end attacks on civilian populations, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. GICJ also calls on the international community to take urgent preventive action to curb the violence and avert a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

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