Sudan: Urgently convene a special session and establish an investigative mechanism

Geneva, 27 April 2023 - In a letter released on April 26th, 2023, over 90 Sudanese, African, and international non-governmental organisations urge states to address Sudan’s human rights crisis by supporting the convening of a special (emergency) session of the UN Human Rights Council.

On 15 April 2023, violence erupted in Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As of 25 April 2023, at midnight, a 72-hour ceasefire has been announced. The death toll, however, is estimated at over 400 civilians, with thousands injured. Actual figures are likely to be much higher. The fighting has spread to other cities and regions, including Darfur, threatening to escalate into full-blown conflict.

The joint letter suggests States of the Human rights council to support the adoption, during a special session on the unfolding human rights crisis in Sudan, of a resolution that, among other actions request the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently organise an independent mechanism, whose work would complement the work of the existing “designated Expert” on Sudan.

Read the the full letter here