GICJ Joint Statement during the Human Rights Council Discussion on Sudan

The 63rd Session of the Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue: The Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan
Statement by: Association Ma’ona for Human Rights and Immigration
Delivered by: Lenja Marlena Probst

Thank you,

We thank the Fact-Finding mission for its report and we can only agree to express our profound alarm regarding this catastrophic, escalating crisis in Sudan. Targeted attacks against civilians, such as extrajudicial killings, forced displacements and the systematic use of brutal conflict-related sexual violence are all confirmed, flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.

This ongoing crisis has led to more than an estimated seven million internally displaced persons, who, without a dedicated binding instrument, are merely protected under international human and humanitarian rights law, the violation of which however has led to their displacement in the first place. Those seven million are lacking basic healthcare, housing, nutrition, and protection from, for example, violence and sexual exploitation. Clearly constituting a violation of their basic human rights.

Additionally, as the report also states, external actors are complicit, prolonging the violence and the suffering.

To stop this immediately, Association Ma’onah and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge for the cessation of hostilities and robust protection for civilians. All perpetrators must be held accountable through credible, independent mechanisms. International Law must also seek targeted protection for those that are internally displaced. And lastly, international actors must shift intervention from fuelling hostilities to funding humanitarian aid for the people in Sudan.

Thank you.