Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on the Sudan

Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on the Sudan

Statement by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries

12 September 2023

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Iceland.

We thank the High Commissioner for his update.

The human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated even further since his last update to the Human Rights Council in June. Every week there are new allegations of grave human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, by both parties to the conflict. We are alarmed by reports of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

Humanitarian needs are enormous. We once again call on all parties to the conflict to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. 19 aid workers have been killed in Sudan this year alone.

The violence has to stop now. All parties to the conflict must agree and adhere to an immediate ceasefire and civilians need to be protected.

High Commissioner, given the dire situation and the lack of access to Sudan, what tools do we have at our disposal to best protect the human rights of people in Sudan?

I thank you.