A resolution has been passed by the United Nations’ top human rights council, that brought attention to the growing number of civilian deaths and rights violations in Sudan, since a deadly conflict broke out between the two senior generals of the African nation last month.
More than 600 people, including civilians, have already died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as a result of the unrest in Sudan. Other areas, including conflict stricken Darfur province, has also been affected badly by the violence.
The resolution was narrowly approved by the 47 U.N. member states, that constitute the Human Rights Council, with 18 voting in favor, 15 voting against, and 14 others abstaining. The resolution seeks to examine in a greater detail of human rights abuses, that have occurred in Sudan since the clashes began.
Power struggle between rival General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the potent paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and General Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan’s military, led to the outbreak of conflict in Sudan.
Sudan was strongly represented among the 15 countries that rejected the U.N. resolution, describing it as a potential obstacle to current peace negotiations. Arab and African countries generally opposed the U.N. initiative.
The resolution, according to Faouzia Boumaiza-Mebarki, the Algerian representative said, the resolution may send the wrong message to the “opposing sides,” and jeopardized the existing negotiations between the Saudi Arabian military and the RSF. The envoy of China also stated that the Sudan and its combatants should be “free from external pressure.”
The majority of Western nations also supported the resolution, which was backed by both Europe and the US.
Volker Turk Condemns The Warring Factions
The Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Volker Turk blamed the warring factions for breaking international humanitarian law, during his opening remarks to the meeting.
Turk condemned the RSF for occupying “numerous buildings” in the capital city of Khartoum to serve as “operation bases, evicting residents, and launching attacks.” Volker also chastised the Sudanese military for carrying out strikes in heavily populated areas and important infrastructures like the airport.
The United Nations’ has expressed worry about food security and aid disbursements, the plight of innocent people trapped in the crossfire, and have asked neighboring nations to assist, taking in refugees from the ongoing conflict.
“We have also received several report alleging sexual violence by uniform men, as well as allegations of unlawful killings and enforced disappearances,” Volker said.
The United States ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Michèle Taylor, reiterates Volker Turk’s sentiments, and denounced the systematic assault of hospitals and healthcare workers. Several medical facilities in Khartoum have been destroyed during the conflict, and have been compelled to close.
Additionally, a number of experts who collaborate with the U.N. rights office, released a joint statement citing reports that “civilians of all ages are experiencing various human rights abuses” in Sudan, including sexual harassment, gender-based violence, theft, and scarcity of food, water, and healthcare.
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