Khartoum, Sudan – July 31, 2024: In light of the escalating human rights crisis in Sudan, the Committee for Justice and Nazra for Feminist Studies have jointly submitted a comprehensive report to the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan. This report, a product of extensive research and collaboration with regional NGOs and Sudanese Human Rights Defenders and Women Human Rights Defenders, highlights the severe human rights and gender-based violations occurring since the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023.
The report documents the dire situation faced W/HRDs in Sudan, including harassment, arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, and sexual and gender-based violence. Both warring parties have been implicated in numerous atrocities, including rape, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, unfair trails, extrajudicial killings, and intimidation of civilians through torture. The report also underscores the essential role of W/HRDs and calls for an environment that safeguards their crucial work.
The Committee for Justice and Nazra for Feminist Studies urge the international community to intensify advocacy efforts, apply diplomatic pressure, and support the implementation of these recommendations to protect human rights defenders and address the severe human rights violations in Sudan. The resilience and bravery of those fighting for justice in Sudan must be met with unwavering international support and concrete actions.
Key Recommendations from the Report:
- Extend the FFM’s mandate by at least one year. This extension is essential to enable the mission to continue its crucial work and to allow human rights defenders adequate time to document and provide comprehensive and valuable information to the mission.
- Create a cultural and gender-sensitive approach for the FFM to document cases. The FFM team should receive adequate training and capacity building to address Sudan’s multilayered and intersectionality.
- Create a liaison person with local, regional, and international NGOs who can reach people on the ground and provide services.
- Urge FFM to be transparent about its code of conduct, protection, and reprisal mechanisms for those who testify before it.
- Urge FMM to create a holistic, culturally sensitive framework that addresses intersectionality and gender sensitivity for their documentation.
- Urge FFM to announce periodic oral and written updates of their work.
- Urge FFM to coordinate efforts with the designated expert on Sudan, The Special Envoy on Sudan, ICC, and other UN mandates.
We call upon the global community to stand in solidarity with Sudanese human rights defenders and support the call for justice, and the empowerment of civil society and advocate for comprehensive legal reforms in Sudan to protect women and human rights defenders and ensure their fundamental freedoms.
Your endorsement can make a significant impact in amplifying these critical issues and driving meaningful change in Sudan.
Signatories:
- Committee For Justice
- Nazra for Feminist Studies
- Darfur Victims Support (DarfurVS)
- African Generation organization (AGO)
- Darfur Network for Human Rights
- Gadirat Kabkabiya Initiative
