The Human Rights Council highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian support in Sudan amid escalating conflict and human rights violations. Key calls included protecting civilians, facilitating aid access, and promoting local women-led initiatives. The crisis has intensified due to deliberate famine tactics and restrictions on humanitarian assistance, necessitating immediate global action and support for accountability.
Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the Human Rights Council (HRC) emphasized the necessity for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, and establishment of safe humanitarian corridors during its recent dialogue on conditions in the region. Joint statements from human rights organizations highlighted the severe impact of armed conflict, famine, and the restrictive measures inhibiting aid delivery, urging international support for local humanitarian initiatives, particularly those led by women.
The High Commissioner condemned numerous human rights violations, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians and recruitment of child soldiers. He warned that many actions witnessed may constitute war crimes and urged immediate international intervention to secure humanitarian access and enforce arms embargoes. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of involving all Sudanese voices in any political dialogue to address the root causes of violence.
Adama Dieng, the African Union Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide, called for urgent collective action from stakeholders with influence to pressure conflicting parties into making compromises and to impose sanctions against perpetrators of human rights violations. Sudanese civil society representative Hanaa Eltigani reiterated the unwavering call for “freedom, peace, and justice” in the face of growing violence and division.
The HRC debate revealed a strong consensus among member states, representing various regions, advocating for the protection of civilians and humanitarians, as well as the immediate cessation of hostilities. Members highlighted the necessity for accountability in response to the prevalent climate of violence and impunity, with calls from South Africa and Greece for an end to arms supplies to the conflicting factions.
Sudan is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, heightened by floods, cholera outbreaks, and deliberate famine enforced by warring factions. Millions are hindered from accessing necessary aid due to politicization and restrictions imposed by both the RSF and SAF. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, often leading community efforts to provide support despite facing threats and violence.
Civil society organizations urged an immediate ceasefire to safeguard civilians and health facilities while appealing to UN mechanisms to address obstruction of aid and the strategic use of starvation as a weapon of war. The international community was called upon to enhance funding for local aid groups and hold the Sudanese government accountable for corruption in aid delivery.
Over a hundred civil society organizations express deep concern over the deterioration of civic space and militarization in Sudan, which threaten the work of women human rights defenders. The urgent call for action illustrates the critical need to protect civilians and restore essential humanitarian support in the region.
The situation in Sudan necessitates immediate international intervention to ensure a ceasefire and protection for civilians. The reports of widespread human rights violations and humanitarian obstruction demand that the global community acts collectively. Support for local grassroots organizations, particularly those led by women, is crucial for alleviating the crisis and restoring normalcy within the affected communities.
Original Source: ishr.ch
