UN Human Rights Council 62: Joint Statement on Escalating Atrocity Risks in El Obeid, Sudan

UN Human Rights Council 62: Joint Statement on Escalating Atrocity Risks in El Obeid, Sudan Joint Statement on Escalating Atrocity Risks in El Obeid, Sudan. Delivered by Norway, a member of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan. Mr President, This statement is on behalf of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan and 21 other states. We support the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and welcome his latest report. We are gravely alarmed by the urgent risks of atrocities and deliberate killings in Sudan. Mr President, ten consecutive days of drone strikes have killed at least 50 civilians across El Obeid and North Kordofan, and have caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Widespread credible reports of ethnically targeted violence, including sexual and gender-based violence are deplorable. We call on the Rapid Support Forces to immediately cease their assault on El Obeid. We are deeply concerned at the risk of imminent escalation on the ground, leaving approximately 500,000 civilians at risk of falling victim to large-scale atrocities, including more than 100,000 internally displaced persons. We urge all parties to immediately de-escalate and comply fully with international humanitarian law. Civilians must be allowed to leave freely and safely, and humanitarian actors must have unhindered access to those in need, supported by credible security guarantees. We call on all states to apply maximum pressure on the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and their allies to prevent atrocities and protect civilians. Special Rapporteur, how should the Council respond to the growing threats of further widescale killings in Sudan? Thank you. This statement has been signed by: The Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan: Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone and the UK. Other states include: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Republic of Moldova, Belgium, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Malta, North Macedonia, Poland, Czechia, Sweden and Spain.