Sudan Under International Scrutiny: International Fact-Finding Mission Report Exposes War Atrocities, Human Rights Council Faces Test of Responsibility

Statement | September 7, 2026

Introduction
Sudan Rights Watch Network, through its presence in Geneva, is following with great interest and deep appreciation the commencement of the UN Human Rights Council’s work in Geneva, and the related discussions and interventions concerning the humanitarian and human rights situation in Sudan, particularly the intervention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the recent International Fact-Finding Mission report on Sudan, entitled “Fueling Conflict in Sudan: Arms, Fighters, and External Support Networks,” regarding the extent of violations suffered by civilians during the ongoing conflict in the country.
While the Network welcomes the documentation and analysis of grave violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and other regional and international conventions and treaties included in the Fact-Finding Mission’s report, it considers the report’s issuance a crucial step in uncovering the truth and holding the international community accountable for its legal and moral responsibilities towards the Sudanese people, particularly the millions of civilians who have faced killing, forced displacement, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and violations of their rights to life, physical integrity, human dignity, and other fundamental rights.
The Network emphasizes that the importance of the Mission’s report lies not only in the facts and violations it documents, but also in its role as a vital tool for strengthening documentation and accountability efforts, preserving evidence, determining responsibilities, and supporting national and international justice processes, thereby preventing perpetrators of serious abuses and violations from escaping punishment.
Commendation for the Fact-Finding Mission Report
Sudan Rights Watch Network expresses its deep appreciation for the efforts of the international fact-finding mission on Sudan in gathering information, listening to victims and witnesses, and analyzing patterns of violations. It believes that the mission’s findings warrant serious and responsible consideration, free from politicization, selectivity, or attempts to obscure the truth.

The Network emphasizes that Sudanese victims need the findings of international reports to be translated from mere documents and data into concrete actions that guarantee: – The protection of civilians and the prevention of continued violations.

Ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those affected.
Conducting independent and transparent investigations into crimes and violations.
Identifying those responsible, regardless of their position or affiliation.
Ensuring that impunity is not tolerated.
Providing redress and reparations for victims.
Preserving evidence related to violations to ensure its use in future justice proceedings.

The Network emphasizes that accountability is not an obstacle to peace, but rather a prerequisite for sustainable peace, and that any political settlement that does not seriously address victims’ rights, justice, and accountability will remain vulnerable to reproducing cycles of violence and violations.

III. The Importance of the Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva

The Network believes that the commencement of the Human Rights Council’s work this month September at this juncture represents a crucial opportunity to keep the Sudanese crisis at the forefront of international attention and prevent it from becoming a forgotten crisis, despite its ongoing and profound humanitarian and human rights repercussions. 8. The Network calls upon Council members, member states, observers, and relevant regional and international mechanisms to address the situation in Sudan as a human rights and civilian protection crisis requiring a sustained and coordinated international response that goes beyond mere statements and condemnations.
The Network also urges the Council to continue monitoring the implementation of recommendations contained in the reports of relevant UN mechanisms, including the recent report of the Fact-Finding Mission, and to strengthen independent documentation and investigation capacities, ensuring continued international monitoring of violations, particularly in areas where human rights and humanitarian organizations lack regular access.
Appreciation for the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Intervention
The Human Rights Monitoring Network – Sudan expresses its deep appreciation for the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ intervention and the interventions of other State and Government missions and representatives, which emphasized the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan and the necessity of placing the protection of civilians and human rights at the heart of the international response. 11. The Network believes that the High Commissioner’s voice within the United Nations system is of particular importance in conveying the suffering of civilians and victims to the international community, and in emphasizing that respect for international law and the protection of civilians cannot be contingent on political or military developments.
In this context, the Network calls on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant mechanisms to further strengthen their presence and monitoring and documentation mechanisms in Sudan, and to cooperate closely with independent Sudanese organizations, human rights defenders, victims, and survivors, to ensure the accurate and independent reporting of facts from the field.
Calling on the International Community to Take Practical Action
The Network emphasizes that the current stage requires moving from expressing concern to taking practical steps, and calls on the international community, the Human Rights Council, and relevant states to:
Press all parties to the conflict to immediately comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Ensure the protection of civilians, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the most vulnerable groups. 3. Cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and objects, and respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and due process in military operations.
Ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need, and refrain from using food, medicine, and humanitarian aid as weapons of war.
Support international investigation and accountability mechanisms, and protect witnesses, victims, and human rights defenders who contribute to exposing violations.
Enhance the preservation of evidence and documentation related to crimes and violations, including digital evidence and testimonies from victims and witnesses.
Ensure the participation of victims and Sudanese civil society in discussions related to justice, accountability, and peace, and ensure that decisions concerning the future of Sudan are not made without the voices of those affected.
Link peace processes to justice and the protection of human rights, preventing impunity for those found responsible for serious international crimes.
A Message to Victims and Survivors
Sudan Rights Watch Network affirms that victims and survivors are not merely statistics in international and regional reports, but rather individuals with inherent rights whose suffering, dignity, and right to justice must be central to any national, international, or regional response.
The Network reiterates its solidarity with all victims of violations, families who have lost loved ones, internally displaced persons and refugees, women and girls who have been subjected to violence and abuse, human rights defenders, journalists, humanitarian workers, and all those who have paid a heavy price as a result of war and violations. It also emphasizes that documenting violations and preserving victims’ testimonies are essential components of building a national memory that safeguards the truth and prevents the denial or recurrence of crimes.

VII. Responsibility of Sudanese Parties

The Network emphasizes that the primary responsibility for protecting civilians and respecting international law rests with the parties to the conflict and the forces acting on the ground, and that any party found to be involved in serious violations must be investigated and held accountable in accordance with relevant legal standards.
It calls on all parties to cease incitement and hate speech that increases the risk of violence and violations, and to respect humanitarian, human rights, and journalistic work, and to refrain from targeting or threatening human rights defenders, witnesses, or survivors.
In closing, Sudan Rights Watch Network, while welcoming the report of the International Fact-Finding Mission and the attention given to the Sudanese crisis by the Human Rights Council, affirms that the value of these efforts will be measured by their ability to have a real impact on the lives of civilians and victims.
The Network calls upon the Human Rights Council, Member States, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and relevant UN mechanisms to continue pressing for the protection of civilians, strengthen monitoring and documentation, support justice and accountability, ensure humanitarian access, and work to end the cycle of impunity that has exacerbated crises and violations in Sudan.
The Network also affirms its readiness to continue professional and independent cooperation with international, regional, and national human rights mechanisms, and to provide all available information, testimonies, and documentation in accordance with established human rights standards, in the service of truth, justice, and the rights of victims. It emphasizes that Sudan needs a peace that protects human beings, justice that delivers redress for victims, and institutions that place human dignity and the rule of law above political and military considerations.

Sudan Rights Watch Network

September 7, 2026