ADVOCATING FOR SUDAN: JOINT EFFORTS BY CI, WCC, AND JRS AT THE 56TH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SESSION

IntFed Internationals, alongside the World Council of Churches and Jesuit Refugee Service, actively participated in the 56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, held from June 18 to July 12, 2024. During this session, we  addressed  the grave situation in Sudan, highlighted by the Fact-finding Mission’s oral update.

We invite you to read our comprehensive joint statement below to gain a deeper understanding of the critical situation in Sudan and join us in advocating for urgent humanitarian action.

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56^th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

18 June – 12 July 2024 

Agenda Item 2: Interactive dialogue on oral update of the Fact-finding Mission for the Sudan

Geneva, 19 June 2024

Mr. President,

Intfed  Internationals, the World Council of Churches and Jesuit Refugee Service take note of the oral update of the Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan and deplore repeated violence against the population and the disregard for human life. Women and children continue to be the worst affected by the conflict, with sexual-based violence dramatically on the rise.

The displacement crisis, both within Sudan and neighboring countries, has reached untenable levels. Without an immediate injection of funds, the capacity of neighboring countries to respond will soon reach a breaking point.

Furthermore, the country is facing the worst hunger crisis, with an imminent risk of millions falling into starvation. Our local partners stress, “people are dying of hunger and desperately need food”. Immediate action must be taken to grant unimpeded access to the Sudanese population to provide critical relief items, healthcare and medicines, and urgently address the escalating food crisis to prevent further hunger-related mortality.

Mr. President,

In order to respond to the large scale of needs of the Sudanese population, the international community must demonstrate a more assertive, swift and coordinated action to save lives.

We therefore reiterate our call to donors and the international community to scale up the response, honor the pledges made at the Paris Conference in April, unlock additional resources for the UN Humanitarian Response Plan to meet the total requirements, and ensure flexible and direct funds are channeled to local actors, local NGOs and faith-based organizations.

We also reiterate our appeal to all parties:

• To provide immediate, full, safe and unhindered access for life-saving humanitarian assistance through all possible cross line and across borders, including both the Adré and Tine crossings in Chad;
• To ensure protection of civilians and aid workers, in adherence to IHL obligations;
• To agree on an immediate and durable ceasefire and to engage in meaningful dialogue to establish lasting peace and work towards a sustainable solution to address the underlying causes of the conflict.