© UN WebTV
Despite spirited opposition from Khartoum and its allies, the UN Human Rights Council voted to establish a mechanism tasked with investigating human rights violations in Sudan.
The Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution establishing an independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) with a mandate to investigate abuses committed in the context of the war in Sudan and identify their perpetrators.
Put forward by the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Norway, the resolution was vehemently denounced by Sudan’s representatives before it was accepted with 19 votes in favour, 16 against and 12 abstentions.
‘Hopes in justice are revived today for thousands of Sudanese women and victims of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan,’ a Sudanese woman human rights defender who requested to remain unnamed told ISHR. ‘We are hopeful that the creation of this Fact-Finding Mission will initiate a process of transitional justice that will support the efforts for peaceful solutions in Sudan,’ the activist emphasised.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been plunged into a devastating war. Last September, UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Volker Türk called the international community to take action to end ‘months of futile suffering, death, loss and destruction’ in the country. UN figures put the number of displaced persons in the millions and rights groups have warned of war crimes, including ‘deliberate and indiscriminate attacks’ against civilians.
However, the numerous reports of atrocities did not convince all Council members, with some States lobbying hard to block its establishment in recent days. Following requests from Somalia and China, there was no consensus and the resolution still had to go through a vote.
On 3 October, ISHR delivered a joint statement on behalf of Sudanese, regional and international organisations in support of this mechanism, stressing the need to urgently investigate human rights violations and collect evidence on abuses, gender-based violence and crimes, and alleged war crimes.
ISHR calls on all Council Member States to support the future members of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan in the implementation of their mandate, so that perpetrators of serious and numerous human rights violations and atrocities in the country face justice.
At a time of financial strife and ongoing reform for the organisation, States have adopted a 2026 budget cutting 117 jobs at the UN’s Human Rights Office. The final budget endorses proposed cuts that disproportionately target human rights, imperilling the UN’s ability to investigate grave abuses, and advance human rights globally.
ISHR and 37 human rights organisations in Latin America issued a joint statement condemning the United States military attack against Venezuela and expressing concern about the serious human rights situation in the country. Any solution to the crisis facing the country must be democratic, peaceful and negotiated, centred on respect for human rights, and prioritising the participation and decision-making power of Venezuelan society over its future.
In a landmark ruling against Burundi, the UN Committee against Torture has set a precedent on the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders engaging with UN mechanisms, affirming that reprisals for cooperating with the UN violate the Convention Against Torture.
