Kampala, 16 June 2026
Committee for Justice concluded today the Sudan Task Force Coalition training on the Universal Periodic Review, held in Kampala, Uganda, on 15 and 16 June 2026, in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Sudan Office, with the participation of 20 women and men human rights defenders representing ten Sudanese organizations.
The training was organized as part of Committee for Justice’s efforts to support Sudanese civil society in engaging effectively and collectively with international human rights mechanisms, particularly the Universal Periodic Review, and to ensure that the voices of victims, survivors and human rights defenders are reflected in relevant UN processes.
The first day of the training focused on building a common understanding of the UPR mechanism, its cycle, the role of stakeholders, and the entry points available to Sudanese civil society before, during and after the review. Participants also discussed Sudan’s upcoming review, previous recommendations, advocacy opportunities with Member States and UN actors, and mapped Sudan’s priority human rights issues through thematic working groups.
The second day was dedicated to practical work on preparing Sudanese civil society’s stakeholder contribution for the upcoming UPR cycle. Sessions addressed stakeholder submission requirements, reporting methodology, evidence standards, confidentiality, and the drafting of effective and follow-up-oriented recommendations. Participants also worked on developing preliminary report outlines and evidence matrices linking documented findings, relevant international standards and proposed recommendations.
The training resulted in several practical outcomes, including the identification of thematic priorities to guide the work of the Sudan Task Force Coalition in the coming period, the establishment of initial drafting teams, the designation of focal points, and agreement on a timeline and roadmap for completing the stakeholder submission. These steps aim to ensure a coordinated, evidence-based and protection-sensitive contribution to Sudan’s upcoming UPR review.
Committee for Justice emphasized that the Universal Periodic Review represents an important opportunity for Sudanese civil society to document grave violations and translate field-based evidence into practical recommendations that can be followed up at both international and national levels. The organization stressed that the effectiveness of this process depends on the quality of information, clarity of priorities, precision of recommendations, and sustained coordination among Sudanese organizations before the review, during the review, and after the adoption of the outcome report.
Committee for Justice further underlined that the protection of women and men human rights defenders, victims, witnesses and sources must remain central to any human rights engagement on Sudan, particularly in light of the complex security and political context and the continuing risks associated with documentation, advocacy and public engagement.
Committee for Justice expresses its appreciation to the OHCHR Sudan Office for its cooperation and technical contribution to the training. It also extends its thanks to all participants and Sudanese organizations involved in this process for their professional and human rights commitment to documenting violations, formulating actionable human rights demands, and strengthening Sudanese civil society engagement with UN mechanisms.
At the conclusion of the training, Committee for Justice reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting the Sudan Task Force Coalition in the next phase, including through the finalization of the stakeholder submission, the development of recommendations, advocacy support, preparation for pre-sessions, and follow-up on UPR outcomes after their adoption.
Committee for Justice calls on UN Member States and relevant international actors to listen carefully to the voices of Sudanese civil society, engage seriously with the information and recommendations submitted by independent Sudanese organizations, and ensure that Sudan’s upcoming UPR reflects the scale of the human rights crisis in the country, the needs of victims and affected communities, and the urgent requirements of protection, accountability and an end to impunity.
