The 36th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the human rights impact of the ongoing conflict in the Sudan

11th of May 2023

Delivered by GICJ / Isabelle Despicht 

Thank you President.

We welcome the convening of this special session and express our utmost concern for the current human rights violations, such as the killing of civilians and the indiscriminate attacks on hospitals taking place in Sudan.

While the situation has been escalating over the last two months, we reiterate that even before the violence began on April 15th, millions of people in Sudan and neighbouring countries were already highly dependent on aid.

More than a third of Sudan's population is already facing acute food insecurity, and the ongoing violence is only exacerbating this crisis, notably due to the restricted access granted to humanitarian workers.

In addition to the crippling economic and security crisis, the people of Sudan are subject to gross human rights violations such as arbitrary arrests and detention, unlawful attacks and killings, looting, obstruction of access to healthcare and the forced occupation of civilian infrastructure.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) and Ma’onah call on all parties to abide by their obligations under international human rights law, and all relevant UN entities to take necessary measures to help those in need.

We also note that what is happening in Sudan, is only one example of the rise of militia and paramilitary groups in the region. 

Worrying situations in which powerful militias compete for and share power with the military, have already been observed in other countries such as Yemen and Iraq. 

We reiterate our stance, calling for the respect of the rule of law and the independence of national institutions. 

I Thank You