HRC 61 oral statement Item 2 Sudan
Sudan conflict: civilians face executions, torture, sexual violence. UAE supports RSF forces enabling atrocities. States must end support, investigate crimes, prevent prolonged suffering
Sudan conflict: civilians face executions, torture, sexual violence. UAE supports RSF forces enabling atrocities. States must end support, investigate crimes, prevent prolonged suffering
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, CAP Liberté de Conscience submitted a written statement highlighting the catastrophic human rights situation in Sudan and the urgent need for extended accountability. The submission documents heinous crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including summary executions, sexual violence, and mass killings in areas like El Fasher and the Zamzam camp, while noting the RSF’s systematic attempts to destroy evidence. CAP LC emphasizes the necessity of extending the UN Security Council’s ICC referral beyond Darfur to cover all regions of Sudan, ensuring justice for crimes against humanity nationwide. Additionally, the statement exposes the critical role of foreign actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates, in supplying weapons that sustain the RSF’s operations. Consequently, CAP LC calls on Member States to cease arms transfers to the RSF, condemn the UAE’s involvement, impose sanctions on perpetrators and enablers, and support international mechanisms for evidence preservation and accountability.
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, CAP Liberté de Conscience submitted a written statement raising serious concerns over the threatened dissolution of the Shincheonji Church and other minority religious organizations in the Republic of Korea. The document condemns efforts by President Lee Jae Myung to disband groups labeled as “pseudo-religions,” arguing that such state actions violate Article 18 of the ICCPR by allowing the government to act as a theological arbiter. CAP LC challenges the cited Japanese precedent, noting UN Special Rapporteurs’ criticism of dissolution orders based on vague concepts of “public welfare.” The statement further refutes claims of “enormous damage,” highlighting the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Shincheonji regarding COVID-19 allegations and the lack of coercive elements in its past evangelism methods. Consequently, CAP LC urges the Korean authorities to respect freedom of religion or belief and cease discriminatory campaigns driven by religious intolerance.
Survivors of the attacks in El Fasher report mass atrocities and killings committed by the Rapid Support Forces after a year and a half of siege under horrific conditions, with no access to basic necessities. Civilians who fled describe widespread violence, including torture, kidnappings for ransom, sexual violence, disproportionately affecting women and girls, and summary executions as they attempted to escape. More than 1,000 days into the conflict, atrocities persist, and large-scale attacks are becoming a recurring pattern. Immediate and collective action is required to cease these crimes and prevent similar atrocities in other regions of Sudan.
CAP Liberté de Conscience is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, particularly regarding religious freedom and the persecution of religious minorities.