October 10, Geneva — On Wednesday, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) approved the extension of the mandate of the independent fact-finding mission in Sudan for a year.
The resolution passed with a simple majority, with 23 countries voting in favor, 12 against and 12 abstaining. The mission was established last October to investigate human rights abuses committed in the ongoing war, including those against refugees. Its mandate includes collecting evidence, identifying perpetrators, and recommending accountability measures.
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its rejection on the extension. In a statement, the ministry criticized the mission for “significant bias” against the Sudanese armed forces. It accused the mission of failing to prioritize ending the war.
The political forces welcomed the decision, which they considered an important step in supporting human rights, justice, protection of civilians, and ensuring that there is no impunity in Sudan.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces, Tagaddum, welcome the decision. In a statement it said that the extension was “an important step in supporting human rights, justice, protecting civilians, and ensuring that there is no impunity in Sudan.”