UN Human Rights Council: Record Support for Sudan Probe Renewal

Gambia, Malawi, Mauritius Join States Pressing for Accountability and Justice A record number of countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council this week voted to support a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan. For the first time, the Gambia, Mauritius, and Malawi joined South Africa and countries from other regions voting in favor of the resolution . The fact-finding mission is mandated to investigate human rights violations and abuses committed by Sudan's warring parties and advance accountability, including by collecting and preserving evidence to identify those responsible and to use in future prosecutions. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn Over the past year, the mission has presented various reports, including a special inquiry on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) assault on El Fasher, which it concluded bore the hallmarks of genocide, as well as a recent exposé on the role of external actors in fueling the conflict. It has worked with the joint Fact-Finding Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) to ensure their work is complementary. The Human Rights Council resolution also highlighted the mission's identification of a "transnational network" of support for the RSF, including the provision of weapons, logistics, training, and foreign personnel. It underlined the need for heightened scrutiny and accountability of external support that sustains operations involving serious violations and international crimes, "across the full chain of responsibility." The resolution's increased support this year signals growing recognition of the need to combat atrocities in Sudan, and the impunity fueling them, underscoring that justice is central to resolving the crisis. In a powerful statement, the Gambia recalled their own national legacy to insist that "truth, justice, and accountability are the foundation on which sustainable peace and reconciliation must be constructed. " However, while the resolution acknowledges the importance of collection and preservation of evidence to support accountability, states did not act to strengthen the mission's capacity to do so, a key recommendation by civil society. States that led and supported this resolution should further consider how to ensure evidence is preserved and prepared in real time to support prosecutions against all those responsible for serious international crimes amid Sudan's conflict. African states that supported the initiative and others should also work to ensure the African Union Peace and Security Council considers the ACHPR mission's own report. Hilary Power , UN Geneva Director Read the original article on HRW . AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals , representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica . To address comments or complaints, please Contact us . AllAfrica is a voice of, by and about Africa - aggregating, producing and distributing 600 news and information items daily from over 90 African news organizations and our own reporters to an African and global public. We operate from Cape Town, Dakar, Abuja, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Washington DC. Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy . We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.