Sudan Events – Follow-ups
The UN expert appointed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan, Radwan Nouicer, issued a warning on Friday due to the tragic human rights situation in the country, with the fighting spreading to new areas.
“Since the beginning of this unjustified conflict last year, civilians in Sudan have been subjected to unprecedented levels of violence and suffering.
As always in times of war, civilians are the first to suffer. The scale and level of human rights violations committed in Sudan is horrific,” the independent expert said in a statement on Friday after concluding a visit to Sudan.
During his visit to Port Sudan, Nouicer met with Sudanese authorities, including the Deputy Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and ministers, with whom he held frank and transparent discussions in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
“In my meetings, I urged the authorities to take urgent action in four key areas,” he added: “
First, to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict settings by refraining from indiscriminate attacks, including the use of large-scale explosive weapons in populated areas;
Second, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, including by expediting administrative procedures, to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need;
Third, to refrain from arbitrary arrest and detention of persons, including civil society activists;
Fourth, ensure accountability for all human rights violations and abuses, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators.
“I also heard directly from displaced communities and witnessed the impact of the conflict on their lives,” Nouicer added. “I was shocked by the conditions they were forced to live in, in high temperatures, with limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation and personal hygiene, including feminine hygiene products, food and health care.”
He affirmed that the conflict in Sudan had led to an unprecedented protection crisis.
“It is time for the Sudanese leadership to stop the fighting and engage in a comprehensive peace process.
Every state with influence or leverage should seek and support this goal,” he said. “I also recall the need for all parties to abide by the arms embargo measures set out in Security Council resolution 1556 (2004).
Moreover, under international human rights law, arms-exporting states may be held responsible for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent, investigate, punish and ensure redress for human rights violations and abuses resulting from arms transfers.
