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13 July 2024 (Geneva/Nairobi) – The United Nations-designated expert on human rights in Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, is alarmed by the dire human rights situation in the country as fighting spreads to new areas.
The official made the remarks at the end of a five-day visit to assess the human rights situation in the country.
- “Sudanese civilians have been subjected to unprecedented violence and suffering since this senseless conflict broke out last year,” he said in a statement after visiting Port Sudan. “As always in times of war, civilians are the first to bear the brunt of the pain. The scale and extent of human rights violations and abuses in Sudan are appalling.”
- Since April 15, 2023, there has been a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their respective allied armed groups.
- During his visit to Port Sudan, Noisse met with officials of relevant authorities, including the Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council and key acting ministers, and held candid and transparent discussions in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
- “In my meetings, I urged the authorities to take immediate action on four key priority areas,” Noisse said.
- “First, ensure the protection of civilians during hostilities by avoiding indiscriminate attacks, including the use of explosive weapons with wide-area destructive power in populated areas. Second, allow unhindered humanitarian access, including by expediting administrative procedures to get humanitarian aid to those in need. Third, avoid arbitrary arrest and detention of persons, including civil society actors; and fourth, ensure accountability for all human rights violations and abuses, regardless of who the perpetrators are,” he added.
- The UN official also said he had heard testimonies from people affected by the conflict and expressed concern about their poor living conditions.
- “I also heard directly from displaced communities and saw first-hand the impact of the conflict on their lives. I was shocked by the conditions in which people were forced to live in scorching heat and without access to basic services such as water, sanitation and hygiene, including feminine hygiene products, food and health care,” he commented.
- Noisse stressed that the conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented protection crisis.
- “It is time for Sudan’s leadership to cease hostilities and engage in a comprehensive and inclusive peace process. Every country with influence or leverage should commit to achieving and supporting this goal,” he said.
- Experts said all actors must comply with the arms embargo imposed by Security Council resolution 1556 (2004).
- “In addition, arms exporting States may be held accountable under international human rights law for failing to take reasonable measures to prevent, investigate and punish human rights violations and abuses resulting from arms transfers, and to ensure reparation,” he stressed.
- Since the conflict in Sudan broke out in mid-April last year, more than 8 million people have been displaced.
- (English stone)
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