The UN Human Rights Council has voted to extend its investigation into alleged human rights abuses in Sudan, with 23 member states supporting the decision despite objections from the Sudanese government. The independent fact-finding mission, established last October, aims to probe violations amid an escalating conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces. Key nations such as the United States and France voted in favor, while China and Sudan opposed the resolution. The investigation continues under the leadership of a three-member mission team.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Human Rights Council made a decisive move to extend its investigation into allegations of human rights violations occurring in Sudan, amidst significant objections from the Sudanese government. Of the council’s 47 member states, 23 voted in favor of prolonging the independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan for an additional year, while 12 states voted against it and 12 others abstained from the vote. The fact-finding mission was originally established in October by the UN’s principal human rights body to examine various allegations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations stemming from the ongoing conflict in Sudan. A coalition of countries, including Britain, spearheaded a draft resolution to renew the mission’s mandate. Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Hassan Hamid Hassan, expressed strong dissent before the vote, stating, “The draft resolution, is unjust, unfair. How can a resolution adopted by this council use this unjust approach that equates a national army fulfilling its role… with a rebellious militia? This is an erroneous approach and Sudan totally rejects the content of this resolution.” Among the nations voting in favor of the resolution were Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. Conversely, those voting against included China, Cuba, Eritrea, Indonesia, Morocco, Qatar, and Sudan. Countries such as Algeria, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia chose to abstain. The three-member fact-finding mission is led by Mohamed Chande Othman, a former chief justice of Tanzania, and includes Joy Ezeilo, the emeritus dean of law at the University of Nigeria, alongside Mona Rishmawi from Jordan and Switzerland, who has previously served as a UN independent expert on human rights in Somalia. The alarming armed conflict in Sudan has intensified since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The backdrop of this investigation is the protracted conflict in Sudan, which escalated dramatically in April 2023. The ongoing hostilities involve the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in widespread allegations of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. The United Nations Human Rights Council, which is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally, established the fact-finding mission to provide an independent assessment of the situation and document any violations occurring as a result of the conflict. Given the stakes involved, the renewal of the investigation is crucial for holding perpetrators accountable and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
In summary, the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to extend its investigation into human rights abuses in Sudan underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in the region. Despite objections from the Sudanese government, the extension reflects a collective acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF necessitates persistent scrutiny, highlighting the importance of independent investigations to safeguard human rights and uphold international humanitarian standards.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
