September 6, 2024
United Nations Security Council
405 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
Re: Urgent Appeal for Stronger Action in Sudan & Addressing Gaps in UNSC Resolution 2736
Dear Members of the UN Security Council:
We, the undersigned, are a group of individuals and organizations that advocate for human rights and religious freedom around the world. We represent diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds but are united in our goal of promoting freedom of religion and human rights for all.
We are writing to you to express our concern regarding the deteriorating situation that is currently unfolding in Sudan.
We appreciate the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2736 on June 13, 2024. The resolution addresses some of the concerns that we have about Sudan. The ending of the siege of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces, protection of civilians, and opening of humanitarian corridors so people can leave El Fasher are key elements in the resolution.
However, we have significant concerns about what the resolution failed to address. Regarding the resolution’s call for lifting of the siege of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), we have two questions.
First, what is the deadline for lifting the RSF siege? UNSC Res. 2736 contains no specific deadline for when this siege should be lifted. How much time does the RSF have to lift this siege? Respectfully, we urge the Security Council to set a deadline for the RSF to lift its siege of the beleaguered city.
Second, where is the enforcement mechanism to enforce the lifting of the siege? Resolution 2736 did not authorize any enforcement by the United Nations or African Union if the RSF refuses or fails to lift its siege.
We also have two other concerns. The resolution failed to address the brazen flouting of the arms embargo currently in force for Darfur. The arms embargo should be extended to all of Sudan. The Security Council should call for sanctions on UN members that violate the embargo.
The resolution also fails to call for accountability by both the RSF led by General Hamdan and the Sudanese Armed Forces led by General Burhan. The war crimes and crimes against humanity against the civilian population by both forces should be tried in the International Criminal Court, the courts of Sudan, and courts with universal jurisdiction around the world.
Human Rights Watch has called for the African Union to work with the United Nations to deploy a Civilian Protection Mission to Sudan. Genocide Watch has called for such a UN/AU peacekeeping mission since July 2023.
We, the undersigned, agree with these proposals made to the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Justice Council. We encourage you to authorize, mandate, and fund these proposals for a strong UN and AU peacekeeping mission in Sudan.
We ask that a new UN Security Council Resolution be drafted, debated, passed, and implemented in time to save the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people now trapped by the civil war in Sudan.
Attached to this letter is a Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Sudan that we hope the United Nations Security Council will introduce and adopt.
We thank you for your consideration in this critical situation.
Respectfully,
ORGANIZATIONS
Genocide Watch
Africa Working Group IRF Roundtable
Coalition for Genocide Response
Law and Liberty Trust
NEVER AGAIN Association
Karwan e Mohabbat (Caravan of Love), India
Doctors Against Genocide
Waging Peace
No Business With Genocide
Jubilee Campaign
World Without Genocide
FIACONA
Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR)
International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL) Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers
Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention
Nadia's Initiative
Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide, Jerusalem
Council for Global Cooperation (CGC)
International Committee on Nigeria
Working Group Recognition - Against Genocide, for International Understanding
The Regional Centre for Training and Development of Civil Society (RCDCS)
Genocide.krd
Voice of Ezidis
UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum
Isaaq Genocide Foundation
Leah Foundation
Advocates For Faith and Justice in Vietnam (AFJV)
Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience
Ariel University Center for the Research and Study of Genocide
Montagnards stand for Justice (MSFJ)
Parity
Prayer Pioneers
Papillon Academy
Journal of Social Encounters
Council of Nations and States (CNS)
Pax Christi New York State
Shai Fund
American Sikh Council
Friends Thien Am Zen Monastery
Stichting Stabij
INDIVIDUALS
Gregory H Stanton, Founding President, Genocide Watch
Chair, Alliance Against Genocide
Ewelina U Ochab, Co-Founder, Coalition for Genocide Response
Co-Chair, Genocide Working Group
Areeka Khan, Sudan Task Force Leader, Genocide Watch
Scott Morgan, Co-Chair, Africa Working Group IRF Roundtable
Rebecca Tinsley, Founder, Waging Peace
Lauren Homer, President, Law and Liberty Trust
Ellen J. Kennedy, Executive Director, World Without Genocide
Israel Charny, Director, Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide, Jerusalem
Samuel Totten, Professor Emeritus, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Robert Melson, Professor Emeritus, Purdue University
Rafal Pankowski, Co-Founder, NEVER AGAIN Association
Eyal Mayroz, University of Sydney
Abid Shamdeen, Co-Founder, Nadia's Initiative
Hala AlKarib, Regional Director, The Strategic initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)
Harsh Mander, Karwan e Mohabbat (Caravan of Love), India
Stuart Russell, Co-Chair, International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL)
Nidal Jboor, Co-Founder, Doctors Against Genocide
Saeed A Elmi, Chief Executive, Isaaq Genocide Foundation
Kyle D Abts, Executive Director, International Committee on Nigeria
Hilly Moodrick- Even Khen, Ariel University Center for the Research and Study of Genocide
Lorna Waddington, University of Leeds
Hannah Garry, Executive Director, UCLA Law, The Promise Institute for Human Rights
Sonja Miley, Co-Executive Director, Waging Peace
Thierry Valle, President, Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience
Rev. Dr. Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director, Parity
Minh Le, Advocates for Faith and Justice in Vietnam (AFJV)
Soumava Basu, President & Founder, Council for Global Cooperation (CGC)
Gloria Samdi Puldu, President, Leah Foundation
Farhad Shamo Roto, Founder & President, Voice of Ezidis
Y Phic Hdok, Co-Founder, Montagnards stand for Justice (MSFJ)
Jeanine Ntihirageza, Professor & Director, Center for Genocide and Human Rights Research in Africa and the Diaspora, Northeastern Illinois University
Tessa Hofmann, Chairperson, Working Group Recognition - Against Genocide, for International Understanding
Abdul Mutaal Girshab, Director General & Human Rights Expert, The Regional Centre for Training and Development of Civil Society (RCDCS)
David Livingstone Smith, Professor of Philosophy, University of New England
Kamal Fahmi, Founder, Set My People Free (SMPF)
Emily Mullin, Legal Staff, Genocide Watch
Susan Taylor, Congressional Working Group, International Religious Freedom Roundtable
Bhaswati Bhattacharjee, Research Staff, Genocide Watch
Wayne Guang-Yong Liang, Podcast & Advocacy Staff, Genocide Watch
Gabrijela Papec, Legal Staff, Genocide Watch
Ronald Pagnucco, Coordinating Editor, Journal of Social Encounters
Ashley Makar
Raziya Masumi, Legal Advisor, Genocide Watch
Daniel R. Neuspiel, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Atrium Health
Joachim Savelsberg, Professor of Sociology and Law & Arsham and Charlotte Ohanessian Chair, University of Minnesota
Stacey M. Mitchell, Associate Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University's Perimeter College
Luciana Minassian, Assistant Professor, School of Law, University of Buenos Aires
Gillian Dare, Stakeholder, UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum
Y Bhim Nie, Dega People Activist & Independent Scholar, Council of Nations and States (CNS)
Sarah Kharikian, Teacher, School District 42
Terry Nickelson
Esther Brito Ruiz, American University
Watchara Intrasombat, Jagiellonian University
Shakhawan Shorash, Writer, Kurdistan without Genocide
Melisa Mujkanovic, Lecturer, De Montford University
Abdulrahman K. Darwesh, Assistant Professor, Genocide.krd
Amy Hudnall, Director, Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies, Appalachian State University
Jessica Kejun Xu, Administrative & Marketing Officer, Intertwine
Edith P. Newman, Board Member, Pax Christi Metro New York
Jared Boyce, Student
Meghan Mallya, Medical Student, UTMB
Nicholas Wilson, Student, Morehouse School of Medicine
Antonella Giordano, Educator’s Institute for Human Rights
Alfyn Steere
Glenn Henry TImmermans, Associate Professor, University of Macau
Kirk C Allison, Program in Health Humanities Faculty, College of Saint Scholastica
Pragya Singh, Research Scholar
Sabana Sultana, Language Teacher, WBBMSC
Miraaal Khani, Student, CAKF
Sahina Akhtar, Assistant Professor of English, Domkal Girls' College
Amita Hembram, Student
D Barman
Christopher Harrison, Instructor, Social Justice & Human Rights, Arizona State University
Dimple Dubey, Faculty, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Madya Pradesh, India
Sukriti Sinha
Mohammad Emdadul Haque
Rachel Castro
Charmaine Hedding, President, Shai Fund
Ashuriena Abraham, Assyrian Activist
Karmella Borashan, Special Assistant to the President, Susek Evangelistic Association
Dr. Uma Ray Srinivasan, Teacher, Victoria Institution (College)
Lea Trigonis, Student
Tanya Nguyen-Do, Coordinator, Friends Thien Am Zen Monastery
Trinity Huynh, Research & Advocacy Staff, Genocide Watch
Claire Kedeshian
Teresa Merk, Legal Assistant, Compliance
Aiden John Carlton, Research Staff, Genocide Watch
Bekir Hodzic, Alliance and Advocacy & Podcast Manager, Genocide Watch
Grace Harris, Early Warning Analyst, Genocide Watch
Brooklyn Quallen, Lead Alliance Coordinator, Genocide Watch
Lea Gruber, Legal Staff, Genocide Watch
Edward D'Agostino
Akbal Mohamed, Director, Stichting Stabij
Thomas H.
Mandi M.
Rev. Margaret R.
Macenna C.
Pam C.
Kristine A
Nick R.
Maxine K.
Sara Pierson
United Nations S/RES/_____ (2024)
Security Council
Distr.: General
Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Sudan:
Adopted by the Security Council at its ______th meeting, on ___ _____, 2024
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions, presidential statements and press statements concerning the situation in Sudan, and reiterating its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Sudan,
Reaffirming its call in UN Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024) for the Rapid Support Forces to halt their siege of El Fasher immediately, and calling for an immediate halt to the fighting in and around El Fasher, and calling for humanitarian corridors for civilians to safely leave El Fasher,
Reaffirming UN Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004) which placed an embargo on the sale or supply to all non-governmental entities and individuals operating in North Darfur, South Darfur, and West Darfur by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, and spare parts whether or not originating in their territories,
Underlining the duty under international humanitarian law to respect and protect humanitarian personnel and consignments used for humanitarian relief operations, and urging all parties to the conflict to protect civilian infrastructure, which is critical to the delivery of humanitarian aid, including for the provision of essential services in line with resolution 2573 (2021),
Reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000) on women, peace, and security, 1379 (2001) and 1460 (2003) on children in armed conflicts, as well as resolutions 1265 (1999) and 1296 (2000) on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and resolution 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel,
Reaffirming UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court,
Reiterating its grave concern at the continuing fighting in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) with the potential for further escalation and the risk of harm to civilians, most of whom need urgent humanitarian assistance and protection,
Expressing alarm over credible reports of ethnically motivated massacres allegedly perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces in and around El Fasher, and in El Geneina in West Darfur between 24 April and 19 June 2023,
Expressing alarm at credible reports of violations of international humanitarian law including cases of sexual and gender-based crimes, and calling for accountability for such violations,
Expressing deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation, including crisis-level food insecurity, and the imminent risk of famine, particularly in Darfur,
Recalling that during the conduct of hostilities, all parties are obligated to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, medical facilities, schools, places of worship, and facilities of the UN,
Recalling that all UN and humanitarian personnel, including national and locally recruited personnel, as well as medical personnel, and their means of transport, must be respected and protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law,
Condemning the looting of humanitarian stockpiles, expressing concern at the increasing mobilization of armed groups and militias, and calling on all sides to discipline and exercise strict command and control of their forces,
Recognizing the importance of de-escalatory measures and the role of local dispute resolution and ceasefire efforts in Sudan, in line with Sudanese -led and Sudanese-owned peacebuilding and peacemaking efforts,
Determining that the situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security and to stability in the region,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Decides to re-establish the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for an initial period of 6 months and further decides that UNAMID will consist of up to 10,000 military personnel and an appropriate civilian component including up to 715 civilian police personnel;
2. Requests that UNAMID closely and continuously liaise and coordinate at all levels with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to expeditiously provide personnel to staff UNAMID and reinforce the effort to foster peace in Darfur and Sudan;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Sudan, to coordinate all the activities of the United Nations system in Sudan, to mobilize resources and support from the international community for both immediate assistance and long-term economic development of Sudan, and to facilitate coordination with the African Union and IGAD;
4. Calls on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, including by allowing civilians wishing to move within and out of El Fasher, Khartoum, Omdurman, and other parts of Sudan to safety, and recalling that all civilians must be protected in accordance with international law;
5. Decides that the mandate of UNAMID shall be the following:
UNAMID shall have the authority and responsibility to protect civilians by all means necessary, pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions;
Protecting civilians shall be the first priority of UNAMID, in coordination with the Government of Sudan;
UNAMID shall have the duty to protect civilians within their capabilities and areas of deployment where the Sudanese government is unable or unwilling to protect them;
UNAMID shall make the protection of civilians a whole-of-mission activity, not only a military task, which embodies an active duty to protect;
Protecting civilians shall be done in cooperation with humanitarian organizations and with respect for humanitarian principles;
UNAMID’s protection of civilians shall be consonant with the principles of peacekeeping, impartial mandate implementation, and the use of force as authorized by the Security Council;
UNAMID police shall have the authority to arrest persons charged by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, Sudan.
6. Reiterates the urgency of addressing the funding shortfall of the Humanitarian Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan and encourages Member States, international donors and partners to step up contributions to enable the scaling-up of humanitarian assistance needed to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation;
7. Calls upon all Member States to prohibit the shipment, supply, or sale of arms to parties to the conflict throughout Sudan; and to comply with their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law;
8. Calls on all Member States to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support efforts for a durable peace, and reminds all parties to the conflict and Member States who facilitate the transfers of arms and military materiel to Darfur and all of Sudan of their obligations to comply with the arms embargo measures as stipulated in paragraphs 7 and 8 of resolution 1556 (2004), and reiterates that those who violate the arms embargo may be designated for targeted measures in accordance with paragraph 3 (c) of resolution 1591 (2005);
9. Calls on the parties to the conflict to seek an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a sustainable resolution to the conflict, through dialogue, with the continued support of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Sudan Ramtane Lamamra and the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan;
10. Encourages the coordinated engagement of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Sudan Ramtane Lamamra, with the African Union, the League of Arab States and other key regional actors, to help advance peace and an inclusive and comprehensive Sudanese-led political process, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of all elements of this resolution within his regular updates every 90 days;
12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
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