According to Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, an investigative mechanism should be established to monitor, collect and preserve evidence, and report serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law that have occurred, and continue to occur, during this conflict. This investigative mechanism should be able to identify perpetrators and make recommendations to ensure accountability, justice, and reparations for victims. Chagutah stressed that the scale and gravity of the crisis requires the creation of such a mechanism to bring enhanced and dedicated resources to these tasks at this crucial moment.
It is worth noting that at least 52 Member States of the Council have so far expressed their support to convene the special session. This comes after an official request was jointly submitted on 5 May by the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States, and Germany. The session will discuss the conflict that erupted on 15 April in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, between the national military, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Unfortunately, the conflict has since spread throughout the country.
On the ground, parties to the conflict continue to use heavy weapons, including artillery and tanks, as well as aerial bombardments in densely populated areas in Khartoum. The conflict has taken a toll on civilians who bear the brunt of the clashes, with millions trapped in their homes, and humanitarian workers unable to deliver supplies to civilians affected by the conflict. Reports from Amnesty International indicate that civilians are being killed and injured in or near their homes – some of them victims of indiscriminate attacks and others caught in the crossfires.
It is imperative for Sudan’s regional partners and the international community to support the people of Sudan through such challenging moments. Sudan’s recent history of violence and genocide is well-documented, and there is no place for further violations of human rights in the country. Therefore, the international community must act fast to ensure that the human rights of all those affected by the crisis are protected, and those responsible for any human rights abuses are brought to account.
In conclusion, the international community must support the special session on Sudan as it presents a singular opportunity for the Human Rights Council to take the necessary steps to promote and protect the human rights of people directly affected by the crisis. The creation of the investigative mechanism in Sudan is necessary to ensure accountability, justice, and reparations for victims, and it should complement existing UN mechanisms including UNITAMS, the UN Human Rights Office, and the Human Rights Council’s Designated Expert. The case of Sudan presents a moment of urgency, and there is a need for swift and robust action.
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