FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights Oral statement during the 49th session of the Human Rights Council during the Enhanced interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in the Sudan since the military takeover (HRC res. S-32/1)(Item 2)

(7 March 2022)

Madam High Commissioner,

FIDH and its member organisations in Sudan, ACJPS and SHRM, welcome Mr. Adama Dieng  in his new position [as Human Rights Expert for Sudan].

Our organisations continue to condemn the military coup which constitutes a significant setback against the aspirations of Sudanese people. Since their seizing of power, the police, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have used unjustified and disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators, resulting in at least 82 deaths. The repression extends to human rights defenders and dissenting voices seeking access to health care services, appallingly after being attacked by the security forces [in retaliation for being critical of the coup d’etat].

We call on the Sudanese government and all its security forces to respect the demonstrators’ rights to peaceful assembly and right to life, release immediately and unconditionally all arbitrary detainees, strictly ensure the safety and dignity of all, including those in custody, [effectively prohibit torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in accordance with the regional and international obligations of Sudan].

Additionally, we are deeply concerned about the intensification of attacks on civilians and inter-communal violence in Darfur since the beginning of the transition in 2019, as well as the failure of the Sudanese authorities to protect their citizens in those regions.

Accountability continues to be key, including for sexual and gender-based violence. The authors of the coup must show their commitment to a democratic transition in Sudan by enabling the fight against impunity to move forward [in Darfur, in all conflict zones, and in the country as a whole]. We call on all relevant actors to urge the authorities in power to take specific, demonstrable and measurable steps towards accountability [in Sudan]. A first step could be to remove the blanket impunity returned by the authorities in power to the security forces.

I thank you.