Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand

09/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2024 15:42

Joint Statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand Human Rights Council 57th Session

Ministry Statements & Speeches: 10 September 2024

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Sudan.

Delivered by Acting Permanent Representative Emma Hodder.

Thank you Madame Vice-President,

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, Canada and my own country, New Zealand. We welcome today's Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Sudan and the report of the Fact-Finding Mission.

The report is a grim testimony of an alarming human rights situation. We are appalled by continued reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces.

The war in Sudan is causing catastrophic human suffering. Arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, excessive force, and unlawful killings cannot continue. Reports of sexual and gender-based and ethnically-motivated violence are also of grave concern. All parties to the conflict must end the violence, including against a civilian population in desparate need of assistance.

We continue to call for rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to reach the millions impacted by the conflict. Attacks against humanitarian actors and assets must stop.

We once again urge the parties to negotiate and adhere to an immediate ceasefire. We were disappointed by reports that neither party to the conflict participated in the most recent US-hosted talks in Geneva.

We ask, how can the international community help to reduce the conflict's impact on the people of Sudan?

Thank you.