The International Independent Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan announces the commencement of its work
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The International Independent Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan has officially started its operations, launching an appeal from Geneva to the conflicting parties in Sudan to end the ongoing armed conflict, commit to protecting civilians, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violations and serious crimes. The mission stated that it has initiated investigations into the violations caused by the war in Sudan.
Mohamed Shandi Osman, the head of the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission, stated in a Friday statement, "Sudanese civil society organizations and other parties have begun informing us of allegations related to severe and ongoing violations." Osman added, "These allegations emphasize the importance of accountability, the necessity of our investigations, and the urgent need to end violence immediately."
Last Thursday, the mission called on individuals, groups, and organizations to provide information and relevant documents within its jurisdiction, stating that the submission window will be open until July 31st.
Appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, Faklak Balik, the members of the Independent Mission in December, following the Councils decision to establish it in October, aim to investigate all alleged human rights violations in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces, and other warring parties since April 15, 2023, with the goal of ensuring accountability for those responsible for these violations and related crimes.
The committee consists of three members: the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Tanzania, Mohamed Shandi Osman; the law professor and honorary dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria, Joy Ezeilo; and the former UN independent expert on human rights in Somalia, Jordanian-Swiss Mona Rashmawi. The committees term lasts for one year.
Mona Rashmawi stated, "The warring parties have international legal obligations to protect civilians from attacks, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, refrain from killing, forced displacement, torture, and enforced disappearance under any circumstances." She added, "We will carefully verify all the allegations we have received and conduct independent and neutral fact-finding operations."
Joy Ezeilo explained that the fact-finding mission would pay special attention to violations targeting women and children, especially those related to sexual violence. She stated, "Allegations of rape targeting mainly women and girls, and the alleged recruitment of children into hostilities, are among our top priorities for investigations."
The Fact-Finding Mission called on all parties to cooperate with its investigations and urged individuals, groups, and organizations to submit information related to human rights violations in Sudan in English or Arabic.
The mission is scheduled to provide an oral update on its preliminary findings to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-sixth session in June-July 2024, followed by a comprehensive report to the fifty-seventh session of the Council in September-October and to the United Nations General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session in October 2024.
