Nairobi, July 12(Darfur 24)
On Friday, Redouane Nouecer, the United Nations expert appointed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sudan, issued an alarm on the dire human rights situation in the country, with the fighting spreading to new areas.
According to a statement by the expert’s office on Friday, “Since the beginning of this unjustified conflict last year, civilians in Sudan have been exposed to unprecedented levels of violence and suffering. As always in times of war, civilians are the first to suffer. The scale and level of human rights violations committed in Sudan are horrifying,” Noueiser said in his statement at the end of a five-day visit to Port Sudan.
Sudan has been witnessing a conflict since April 15, 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and armed groups allied with them.
During his visit to Port Sudan, Nuweiser met with Sudanese authorities, including the Vice President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and key interim ministers, with whom he held frank and transparent discussions in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
“In my meetings, I urged the authorities to take urgent action in four key areas,” Noueisser said.
“First, ensure the protection of civilians in the context of conflicts by refraining from indiscriminate attacks, including the use of large-scale explosive weapons in populated areas. Second, allow unimpeded humanitarian access, including speeding up administrative procedures, to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. Third, refrain from arbitrary arrest and detention of people, including civil society activists; Fourth, ensuring accountability for all human rights violations and abuses, regardless of the identity of their perpetrators.
“I also heard directly from displaced communities and witnessed the impact that the conflict had on their lives,” Noueiser added. “I was shocked by the conditions they had to live in, under extreme temperatures, with limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation and personal hygiene, including feminine hygiene products, food and healthcare.”
Noueiser stressed that the conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented protection crisis.
“It is time for the Sudanese leadership to stop the fighting and engage in a comprehensive peace process. Every country with influence or influence must strive to achieve and support this goal,” Noueisser said.
“I also recall the need for all parties to adhere to arms embargo measures as set out in Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004). Furthermore, under international human rights law, arms exporting states may be held liable for their failure to take reasonable steps to prevent, investigate, punish and ensure reparations for human rights violations and abuses resulting from arms transfers.”