The Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms Should Do More in Sudan
28 September 2023
“Areas controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) lack basic services. 24 million, including 13 million children, are in need of assistance,” Yousra director-general stated as she addressed the 29th meeting – 54th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council.
Yousra, of Sudan International Human Rights Organization (SIHRO), made her remarks during the 29th meeting on human rights, which took place from 11 September to 13 October at the UN Office in Geneva. The Human Rights Council meets for at least ten weeks during three regular sessions yearly. They occur in February–March, June–July, and September–October. Depending on the work program, sessions can last three, four, or five weeks. However, suppose one-third of the Member States request it. In that case, the Human Rights Council can decide to hold a special session to address human rights violations and emergencies, such as the 36th special session regarding the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
With more than five months into the conflict in Sudan, Yousra addressed the grave human rights violations taking place in the country, especially the ones committed by the SAF, such as airstrikes destroying and targeting civilian infrastructure, homes, and public markets in Khartoum and Darfur. She called for special measures and the ten human rights bodies to consider the violations committed by the SAF.
This call comes after SIHRO’s prolonged community-based investigations discovered that the SAF committed many eerie human rights violations.
CHILDREN AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS ENGAGEMENT
“It is important that communities concerned with children’s rights discrimination against consider whether children have been forced to recruit,” she said.
More than 600 women and girls were sexually affected during this conflict,”
Children’s and women’s rights national organizations need support to address and engage regarding the eerie human rights violations within the SAF control areas, especially war zones.
“We have confirmed more than 19 cases of enforced enlisting of children committed by the SAF, and more than 600 women and girls have been victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).”
THE ATTACKS ON HUMAN RIGHTS BODIES
“The human rights bodies and mechanisms have been targeted in Sudan; the situation is gravely concerning. Human rights bodies should, therefore, act fast.”
The SAF targets civilians by airstrikes and artillery booming, looting homes, and committing severe acts of violence.
“We need Independent Experts monitoring the implementation of International Human Rights,” said ** during the second address of the same meeting.
THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE MONITORING
“We suggest that the Treaty based on the Committee on Enforced Disappearance should investigate the credible reports that SAF is dominated by the Sudanese Islamist Movement (SIM) with ties to Al-Qaeda; these groups are involved in enforced disappearances,”
3.5 million people are displaced in Sudan,
1 million people have fled to neighboring countries,
Two million children were uprooted in just four months.
“Ladies and gentlemen, human rights bodies should be more involved in Sudan. The country is facing a major human rights crisis. We argue that the Human Rights Council should act quickly. Thank you,” said Yousra as she finished her address.
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