Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan Calls for Deployment of Independent Forces to Protect Civilians

The United Nations International Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan called Friday for the deployment of an independent and neutral force to protect civilians from the crimes being committed, many of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, noting the targeting of civilians, schools, hospitals, civilian infrastructure and other vital facilities. Mohamed Chandi Osman, head of the mission, said in a statement that the seriousness of the findings reached by the report confirms the need to take urgent measures to protect civilians, stressing that "given the failure of the parties to the conflict to spare civilians from harm, it is necessary to immediately deploy an independent and neutral force tasked with protecting civilians in Sudan." He considered the protection of civilians "of utmost importance, and all parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international law," calling for an immediate cessation of attacks against civilians, without any conditions. He stressed the n eed to expand the scope of the existing arms embargo in Darfur and all areas of Sudan, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, and to stop the supply of weapons, ammunition and other forms of logistical or financial support. The UN mission report also warned arms suppliers of the possibility of "complicity in serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law." The UN report is based on investigations conducted between January and August 2024, as mandated by the Human Rights Council, which established the fact-finding mission in October 2023. It is worth noting that since the conflict began in April 2023, thousands of people have been killed, more than 33,000 injured, and more than 10 million people have fled their homes, including more than five million children. (QNA) Source: Qatar News Agency