Rights Groups Urge UN Council to Investigate Sudan Chemical Use

Geneva — Human rights organizations convened during the second day of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council to demand a formal international investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Sudan’s civil war. The coalition, led by Human Rights Without Frontiers and the Coordination for Freedom of Conscience, argued that despite severe allegations and diplomatic determinations, no independent technical inquiry involving the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has been established. Willy Fautré, founder of Human Rights Without Frontiers, described this absence as a scandal, noting that the current void in oversight leaves civilians without a mechanism for verification or accountability.

The call for investigation follows a determination by the US State Department in April 2025 that the Government of Sudan used chemical weapons in 2024. According to reports from GN geopolitics/rights (en-US), Washington subsequently issued a determination to Congress and implemented further sanctions in July, restricting financing, exports, and airspace access. While Khartoum has consistently denied these accusations, the lack of an internationally mandated technical investigation remains the central grievance of advocates, who emphasize that political statements alone are insufficient to establish the facts of the conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis and Political Neglect

The urgency of the request is underscored by the scale of the humanitarian emergency. United Nations estimates indicate that approximately 33.7 million Sudanese, roughly two-thirds of the population, will require humanitarian assistance this year. With 23 areas facing famine or already in its grip, the conflict remains the world's largest displacement crisis. Thierry Valle, president of the Coordination for Freedom of Conscience, framed the situation as one of extreme neglect, stating that the civilian suffering is under-reported and under-funded. He criticized the lack of a ceasefire or credible political process, describing the international inaction as a deliberate political choice rather than an oversight.

Advocates Reject Framing of Forgotten War

Speakers at the panel pushed back against the common characterization of Sudan’s conflict as a "forgotten war." Fautré argued that this language is inaccurate and dismissive, noting that families in cities like El Fasher and El Obeid are acutely aware of the ongoing violence. He emphasized that the issue is not memory but active international ignorance, urging the community to recognize that civilians are being harmed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The panel sought to reframe the narrative from one of passive absence to one of active political neglect by the international community.

European Parliament Calls for Accountability

Matej Tonin, a member of the European Parliament, addressed the assembly via recorded video, underscoring the legislative dimension of the crisis. He pledged to work with colleagues to ensure that humanitarian access is restored and protected for all Sudanese, regardless of background or belief. Tonin stressed that justice and accountability must prevail with full respect for international law, explicitly calling for an end to impunity for those responsible for atrocities against civilians. His remarks aligned with the panel’s core demand for procedural mechanisms that can hold perpetrators accountable through established international legal frameworks.