Norwegian statements in the interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights oral update on Sudan

Both as part of the Core Group (Germany, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom), and as part of the Nordic-Baltic countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Iceland).

Core Group, delivered by the UK:

Mr President

Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the people of Libya for the tragic loss of life.

This statement is on behalf of the Sudan Core Group: Germany, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The conflict in Sudan, entering its sixth month, is undeniably one of the most serious in the world. The human rights implications are catastrophic and worsening every day.

In Khartoum and elsewhere, aerial bombardments and shelling of civilian neighbourhoods and structures by the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces and fighting across the city has left over a million people in a dire humanitarian situation, with little access to food, water, and medicine.

In Darfur, there are growing indications that the RSF and their allies are waging a campaign of indescribable horror, including acts of sexual and gender-based violence, along ethnic lines – with parallels to the atrocities committed by the Janjaweed nearly 20 years ago.

Mr. President,

The people of Sudan are living in fear. Their lives, livelihoods, rights and access to basic necessities, have been devastated. We stand in solidarity with them and echo the call from civil society for an end to the fighting, unhindered humanitarian access, a lasting peace, and accountability for violations and abuses to end the cycle of impunity in Sudan which has persisted for decades.

Thank you.

Nordic-Baltic countries, delivered by Iceland:

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries [Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Iceland].

We thank the High Commissioner for his update.

The human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated even further since your last update to the HRC in June. Every week there are new allegations of grave human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, by both parties to the conflict. We are alarmed by reports of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

Humanitarian needs are enormous. We once again call on all parties to the conflict to respect and ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law and to facilitate full, safe and unhindered (humanitarian) access. 19 aid workers have been killed in Sudan this year alone.

The violence has to stop now. All parties to the conflict must agree and adhere to an immediate ceasefire and civilians need to be protected.

High Commissioner,

Given the dire situation and the lack of access to Sudan, what tools do we have at our disposal to best protect the human rights of people in Sudan?

I thank you.