Sudan

United Nations Human Rights Council

“Protecting Civilian Rights in the Middle of the War”
Delegate: Nisrina Rahma Zaida

BACKGROUND AND KEY AREAS OF DISCUSSION

During armed conflict, civilians have to bear with devastating consequences. They
may face daily threats of violence and death as they find themselves unintentionally caught
up in the heart of a conflict. Although they are protected by international humanitarian law
and human rights legislation, civilians are still frequently victims of violence and even the
intentional victims of conflicts. One year has passed since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan
between Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Armed Force, which unleashed a catalogue
of horrors. A nightmare of bloodshed that has killed over 14,000 people and injured 33,000
also causes significant displacement, millions of people have no choice but to leave their
homes and seek safety in other areas of the country or in neighboring countries. These
deliberate attacks is also a nightmare of sexual violence towards women and girls or
deliberate killings to instil fear and coerce compliance from the local population. The
Sudanese government believes that the parties who complicit to the conflict should be held
accountable for protecting civilian rights during hostilities by ensuring civilian safety during
combat and applying pressure on them to abide by international humanitarian law, also
referred to as the laws of war, which are regulations that direct and restrict warfare.

PAST ACTIONS AND COUNTRY’S REVIEW

Protecting civilians must be the overarching priority. The Sudanese government's record in
protecting civilians conflicts has been mixed, with periods of positive action as making numerous
peace agreement between both parties in order to improve the humanitarian situation by guiding
the conduct of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to ensure the safe
delivery of humanitarian assistance, the restoration of essential services, and the protection of
civilians known as the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan
(Jeddah Declaration). However, the conflict has continued, and the parties have not agreed on a
permanent cessation of hostilities. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with civilians in
need of aid and protection facing significant challenges. The positive action often overshadowed
by political instability which is lead to significant instances of human rights abuses and failures to
adequately protect civilian populations. In short, the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to
Protect Sudanese Civilians has not been fully put into effect, and Sudan's humanitarian situation
remains horrific. The parties who’s complicit on this conflict have not shown respecting
international humanitarian and human rights law, and the humanitarian catastrophe that unfolding
in Sudan remains severe. Nevertheless, The government of Sudan agree on peacekeeping
cooperation in fact they allowed the deployment of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS)
and later the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to help protect
civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid also The transitional government showed a willingness to
cooperate with international organizations, including the UN and the African Union, to improve
civilian protection and address human rights issues.

POTENTIAL GOALS AND SOLUTIONS

According to the Sudan’s past actions and standpoints outlined in the previous passages,
these are possible solutions that can be adopted while considering the UNHRC’s mandates.
1. Establishing Safe Zones and Humanitarian Corridors for Civilians in The Middle of
War.
Safe zones and humanitarian corridors are designated places or pathways that allow civilians
to make secure moves from conflict zones to safer regions. Establishing safe zones and
humanitarian corridors is an essential approach to protecting civilians during times of conflict.
These steps are intended to allow a safe path for civilians fleeing regions of intensive combat,
receiving humanitarian assistance, and accessing essential necessities such as healthcare and
shelter. These zones or corridors are often formed through agreement between parties to the
conflict, to guarantee that civilians can access necessary services and humanitarian supplies
without being at risk of danger, and also this zones can also differentiate between combatants
and non-combatants. Sudan supports strategies to enhance the ability of conflicting parties to
differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, thereby reducing civilian casualties and
ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law. Sudan's also has collaboration with
international humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
2. Effective Monitoring and Reporting of Civilian Casualties.
Effective monitoring and reporting of civilian casualties in Sudan's conflict is critical to
measuring accountability and protecting civilians from danger. The international community,
which include organizations such as Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the
International Organization for Migration (IOM), have been regularly monitoring and reporting
on the situation in Sudan in order to make sure that civilians' humanitarian needs are fulfilled
and human rights are respected. In order to make sure the adherence of both parties for not
harming civilians, Sudan needs to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on
investigations and prosecutions related to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the
government should be allowing Human Right Defender and Legal Expert to enter conflict
zones and guarantee for protecting them from danger. By strengthening these sectors, Sudan
can increase civilian safety and hold those responsible for human rights crimes held
accountable.
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