Geneva \/ Human Rights Council <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the participation of the Coalition of Sudanese Human Rights Organizations and Al-
Fajr Organization for Peace, Development, and Justice in the 60th session of the United
Nations Human Rights Council, an oral statement was delivered on behalf of the 33 Sudanese
human rights organizations affiliated with the coalition. The statement was made during the
interactive dialogue on the report of the Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries, under
Item 3 of the Human Rights Council\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its statement, the coalition condemned the Sudanese army\u2019s use of mercenaries in its
ongoing war against key components of the state and against civilians across Sudan since
around mid-2023. The coalition called on the UN Human Rights Council to activate its
international mechanisms to prevent, halt, and criminalize the recruitment, training, and use
of mercenaries in armed conflicts. It also urged the Council to ensure accountability for the
crimes committed by the Sudanese army against civilians in Sudan.
The statement, delivered on behalf of a number of Sudanese human rights organizations,
centers, and civil society institutions, included the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. President,
We express our deep concern over the continued use of mercenaries by the Sudanese army in
the ongoing conflict in Sudan, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and
international human rights law, which has deepened the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Recruitment policies and the use of mercenaries, particularly from the Tunjur, Dajo, and
Ethiopian Tigray groups, by the Sudanese Armed Forces have intensified violations,
including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape and sexual violence, in addition to the forced
displacement of about 15 million refugees. These practices have created the world\u2019s largest
humanitarian crisis, with more than 30 million people facing acute food insecurity, half of
them women and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. President,
The use of mercenaries not only undermines fundamental human rights but also threatens the
Sudanese people\u2019s right to self-determination and obstructs efforts to build sustainable peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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We urge this Council to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Sudanese people are facing a compounded humanitarian tragedy. Ending the recruitment
and use of mercenaries by the Sudanese army is a necessary step to ensure the protection of
civilians and to put an end to ongoing human rights violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you, Mr. President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n