Sudan: The crimes of the ruling military government must be investigated

Oral statement on the Dialogue with the Expert on human rights in Sudan

Oral statement delivered by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

Mr. President,

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the SOS-Torture Network are concerned about the lack of accountability imposed by a de facto military government in power in Sudan since 2019.

Since the Revolution and after the 2021 coup, members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have committed serious human rights violations through the continuous and excessive use of lethal force against civilians, in particular women, youth, human rights defenders and internally displaced persons. As a result, hundreds of people have been killed in Khartoum, thousands have been injured and hundreds of villages have been burned, displacing thousands. As we enter the fourth year since the start of the democratic transition, no meaningful steps have been taken to investigate these human rights violations and establish accountability.

We urge the Human Rights Council to recommend the following:

• The full restoration of a civilian-led government that would continue to amend all laws that do not meet the country's international obligations.

• The investigation of human rights violations that have taken place since 2019.
• The prosecution of all perpetrators of human rights violations, including members of the armed forces in leadership positions.
• Ensure access to justice, reparation and rehabilitation for all victims of torture and ill-treatment.

Thank you