Geneva – Committee for Justice (CFJ) has submitted a set of recommendations to strengthen the draft resolution currently under negotiation at the United Nations Human Rights Council concerning the human rights situation in and around El Obeid, Sudan.
CFJ welcomed the convening of the urgent debate and commended the efforts of the core group to respond to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation. At the same time, the organization stressed that the resolution should fully reflect the urgency of preventing further atrocities and ensuring accountability.
Among its recommendations, CFJ called for preserving and strengthening the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, emphasizing that reinforcing the role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights should complement—not replace—the Mission’s independent investigative mandate.
CFJ also recommended the inclusion of a new operative paragraph urging the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage in good faith with the confidence-building measures proposed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in February 2026. Such measures would contribute to protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access and reducing the risk of further atrocities.
The organization further urged the Human Rights Council to recognize the important contribution of regional human rights mechanisms, particularly the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, by acknowledging the Banjul Declaration of 12 May 2026 as a significant outcome of cooperation between the African Commission and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan.
In addition, CFJ called for stronger language protecting Sudanese lawyers, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and civil society actors who continue to document violations, preserve evidence and assist victims despite grave security risks.
“Preventing atrocities requires more than condemnation,” said Ahmed Mefreh, Executive Director of Committee for Justice. “It requires strong monitoring mechanisms, meaningful cooperation between international and regional institutions, practical confidence-building measures, and a clear commitment to accountability.”
Committee for Justice remains committed to supporting international and regional efforts aimed at protecting civilians, advancing accountability and promoting a sustainable, rights-based resolution to the conflict in Sudan.