Sudan: Extend the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate

(Kampala) – Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’sCouncil’s 56th session (HRC56, 18 June-12 July 2024), the Darfur Network for Human Rights, along with more than 70+ NGOs, have issued a letter requesting the Council to extend the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) established in October 2023 to address the ongoing Sudan crisis.

Amid the ongoing armed conflict since April 15, 2023, with looming risks of further atrocities and impunity serving as a significant driver of violence cycles, the signatories emphasize the critical importance of facilitating accountability to combat and deter violations. The FFM plays a crucial role in this effort.

Regrettably, the UN’s financial crisis has reached a critical point, exacerbated by a record number of states failing to fully pay their membership dues. Seven months after its establishment, the FFM is still significantly understaffed and underfunded. As a result, the forthcoming written report due at the Council’s 57th session (HRC57, 9 September-9 October 2024) will inevitably lack comprehensiveness due to factors beyond its control.

Given these formidable challenges, the letter’s endorsers strongly urge the Council to extend the FFM’s mandate, thereby enabling it to continue its vital work and reaffirming the Council’s ongoing engagement with this critical issue.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *