Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
Mr President,
Representing a coalition comprising Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom, I am here to present draft resolution L.26, which aims to address the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
The recent report from the UN Fact-Finding Mission reveals a grim reality: communities have been devastated, millions have been forcibly displaced, and civilians find themselves ensnared in a relentless cycle of violence. The use of drone warfare by both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has exacerbated the geographical scope of these hostilities. Attackers have targeted hospitals, markets, and even kindergartens, leaving civilians without any refuge. Furthermore, the illegal influx of weapons and external support continues to fuel these atrocities, creating chaos throughout the region and jeopardising any hopes for peace. It is crucial that states and other external actors immediately halt the provision of arms, financing, and support that sustains this catastrophic conflict.
Call for Accountability and Cooperation
The core group advocates for accountability throughout the entire chain of responsibility, utilising all available channels. In this regard, we commend the vital work of the International Criminal Court in ensuring justice for victims of atrocities in Sudan, and we call for the full cooperation of Sudanese authorities with the Court.
In light of the unspeakable horrors unfolding in Sudan, it is our collective responsibility to confront these issues head-on; we cannot afford to look away. The UN Fact-Finding Mission stands as the sole independent investigative entity documenting the violations and abuses occurring throughout the country. We welcome its commitment to collaborating with other independent accountability initiatives, particularly the Joint Fact-Finding Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Banjul Joint Declaration, issued in May of this year, serves as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between the UN mechanism and the African Union, whose leadership remains vital for resolving the conflict.
Importance of Renewing the Fact-Finding Mission’s Mandate
Renewing the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission is crucial to facilitating justice in Sudan and establishing a foundation for future accountability.
During this session, we have engaged in extensive consultations regarding this draft with all delegations, starting with Sudan. We have taken many proposals into account, including several from Sudan itself.
It is unfortunate that these amendments did not satisfy the Sudanese authorities, as this resolution is fundamentally intended for the people of Sudan.
Recognising the Courage of Human Rights Defenders
We reiterate the recognition in the Banjul Joint Declaration of the bravery and resilience exhibited by victims, survivors, and human rights defenders throughout Sudan, who remain committed to peace and documentation efforts, often at significant personal risk.
These courageous individuals merit far more than our attention; they deserve our unwavering solidarity.
We implore all member states to stand with the people of Sudan and support this resolution through your vote.
Thank you.