The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs preemptively rejected a resolution, while still in the draft stage, vehemently dismissing it as “extremist” in its bias against the country‘s Armed Forces.
The resolution, which ultimately garnered the approval of 19 nations, was rejected by 16, with 3 abstaining from the vote.
The resolution implores conflicting parties to fully cooperate with a fact-finding mission in its undertaking. It also urges the international community to lend its complete support to the mission in fulfilling its mandate.
Comprising 3 members experienced in international human rights law and humanitarian law, appointed by the Human Rights Council president, the mission is scheduled for an initial period of one year.
The international mission has been tasked with investigating and substantiating the facts, circumstances, and underlying reasons for all allegations pertaining to human rights abuses, violations, and transgressions of international humanitarian law, including those committed against refugees.
The mission is charged, according to the resolution, with identifying individuals and entities responsible for the violations or other related crimes to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.
The resolution stipulates that the fact-finding mission should present recommendations concerning accountability measures, individual criminal responsibility, and providing victims with access to justice as appropriate.
Emergency Lawyers (a legal entity), welcomed the United Nations-affiliated council’s approval to establish a committee to probe widespread human rights violations committed since the outbreak of the war, as per their statement.
They lauded the nations that voted in favor of the resolution, primarily the UK, the US, Germany, and Norway, for seeking a transparent and fair investigation that ensures impunity is avoided.
In contrast, the “Federal Assembly,” one of the factions of the Forces of Freedom and Change coalition, described the decision as a crucial step in revealing the truths about the grave humanitarian violations committed during the war, vehemently stressing that anyone proven to be involved should be brought to justice.