HRC61 - Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the FFM and the report of the High Commissioner on the Sudan - EU statement
United Nations Human Rights Council
61st Session
Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the FFM and the report of the High Commissioner on the Sudan
26 February 2026
EU Statement
Mr Vice/President, Mr High Commissioner,
The European Union thanks you for your comprehensive update, and reiterates what has been said time and again in this Council: the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and their allied militias must stop the fighting and the unlawful attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations, which have resulted in unspeakable suffering of the Sudanese people over the past three years. All parties, and RSF in particular, are accused of committing flagrant violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law. A humanitarian truce followed by a ceasefire must be reached urgently. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the air strikes and attacks on health facilities and food convoys, the recruitment of children and the summary executions by both parties. There must be accountability.
The perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence, especially by RSF and affiliates, and those commanding them have to be held accountable. Your report states that “the cumulative impact on civilians has been catastrophic, with widespread loss of life, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services”. After three years of suffering, there is still no end in sight and still, this conflict is being fueled. We urge all external actors that are directly or indirectly supplying arms, financial support, or any other form of support to the warring parties to immediately cease such support and to comply with the UN arms embargo, and call for its extension to the whole of Sudan.
Mr Nouicer, High Commissioner,
How can we support efforts by Sudanese civilians to bring their country on a pathway to peace? What can the international community do to enable the protection of civilians?
Honoured members of the FFM,
Your report entitled Sudan Hallmarks of Genocide in El Fasher on the siege and fall of the city documents grave violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. It indicates the deliberate targeting of people based on their ethnic origin, through acts of extreme violence, meant to inflict suffering and pain with the intention of destroying the affected communities.
The European Union is deeply alarmed by the events in El Fasher, as well as the ongoing escalation in Kordofan which raises the risk of similar massacres occurring again. We need to find a way to both assist those who suffered through El Fasher and are still suffering within the city, to support their pursuit of justice and accountability, and to ensure the perpetrators cannot continue to commit such acts elsewhere or at another time.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and the commencement of a process that will work towards a lasting settlement. Civilian political forces will remain key in ending the conflict and for Sudan’s future.
Mr Othman, Ms Rishmawi, Ms Ezeilo,
What steps do we need to take now to make sure survivors can get justice, and to prevent these crimes to be repeated in Kordofan or elsewhere in Sudan?
Thank you.