<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Spain, the European Commission, and some 30 other countries condemned on Tuesday “war crimes and crimes against humanity” perpetrated in Sudan and called for the implementation of “a broad and inclusive political process, led by the Sudanese themselves.”</strong></h4> The “Joint Declaration Condemning the Atrocities and Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Sudan,” endorsed by the foreign ministers and senior officials of Spain, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the European Commission, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, and supported by Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland, expresses “deep alarm at the reports of systematic violence against the civilian population in Sudan following the fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the escalation of the conflict in North Darfur and Kordofan.” “Deliberate attacks against civilians, ethnically motivated mass killings, conflict-related sexual violence, starvation as a method of warfare, and obstruction of humanitarian access constitute abhorrent violations of international humanitarian law,” the text continues. “If proven, these acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law,” it adds. “We condemn in the strongest possible terms all atrocities and demand an immediate end to the violence,” the signatories assert. “Impunity must end and accountability must be ensured,” because “protection and justice for the Sudanese people are not only a legal obligation, but also an urgent moral imperative,” they warn. According to the declaration, “it is intolerable that widespread famine and starvation persist due to access restrictions.” “The WFP, UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies must obtain the necessary permits to carry out their life-saving work and reach the populations in need,” the text continues. The signatory countries also warn that “all parties must respect international humanitarian law, which includes the obligation to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of food, medicine, and other essential supplies.” “Safe passage for civilians must also be guaranteed,” and therefore, “we urge the parties to facilitate this immediately, as provided for in UN Security Council resolution 2736,” it continues. “We also urge the parties to the conflict to agree to a three-month ceasefire and humanitarian truce, as provided for in the Quartet declaration,” it adds. “We are concerned about attempts to divide Sudan and reaffirm our support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country, as well as the right of its people to live in peace, dignity, and justice without external interference,” the statement reads. “We urge the parties to come to the negotiating table,” because “only a broad and inclusive political process, led by the Sudanese themselves, can address the challenges facing Sudan,” it concludes.
