Geneva / Human Rights Council

Within the framework of the participation of the Federation of Sudanese Human Rights Centres and the Dawn Organization for Peace, Development and Human Rights in the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, an oral statement was delivered on behalf of Sudanese human rights organizations during the interactive dialogue, under item 4of the Council’s agenda.

The statement raises concerns over the Sudanese army and allied militias’ alleged use of chemical, incendiary, and cluster weapons against civilians in 2024 – 2025. It describes the severe human toll of these attacks, including deaths, horrific injuries, mass displacement, and psychological trauma, stressing that such actions violate international law and amount to war crimes. The appeal calls on the council to condemn the violations, initiate an independent investigation and forensic analysis, refer Sudan to the international criminal court, impose sanctions on those responsible, provide urgent medical and psychological support for survivors.

The statement, delivered by the Federation on behalf of several Sudanese human rights organizations and civil society institutions, read as follows:

Mr. President,

There is growing documented evidence of the Sudanese army and allied militias using chemical and internationally prohibited weapons. According to eyewitness testimonies, medical personnel, and human rights organizations, civilian areas were targeted in 2024 and early 2025 with bombs and shells emitting suffocating gases with pungent odours, causing symptoms of asphyxiation and horrific burns, acts that amount to war crimes under the Rome Statute.

Mr. President,
In addition to the chemical weapons deployed by the Sudanese army. The army has used cluster munitions and internationally banned incendiary weapons. More than 129 bombings have been documented, accompanied by unusual phenomena such as victims’ bodies being burned, disfigured, and swollen. These attacks triggered mass displacement and inflicted severe psychological and physical trauma, compounding civilians’ suffering and depriving them of essential care. Such acts constitute a flagrant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and international humanitarian law.

Mr. President, 

We urge this esteemed Council to condemn these crimes and to launch an independent international investigation that includes field visits and forensic evidence analysis, and to refer Sudan’s case to the International Criminal Court. We further call for the imposition of international sanctions on those responsible, the provision of urgent medical and psychological support to survivors, and the adoption of decisive measures to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities that threaten the conscience of the international community.

Thank you, Mr. President.