PRESS RELEASE : 36th Special Session – UK Statement for Special Session on Sudan [May 2023]
The press release released by Foreign Office on 11 May 2023.
The UK Minister for International Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, delivered a speech at the Special Session on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council.
Thank you Mr President.
Today, we express our solidarity with the people of Sudan.
When the late Kofi Annan proposed the creation of this Council, he asked for a body that could react in the very worst moments. A Council that would respond quickly, so we could help save lives.
Since 15th April, Sudan has descended rapidly into crisis. Hundreds of civilians have been killed. Thousands injured. Humanitarian actors murdered. The risk of violence – even atrocities – against particular groups is rising. Millions more face shortages of food and medicine, or have been forced to flee as refugees.
The Secretary General has warned that the effects for the wider region will be very severe indeed.
But there is an alternative to conflict. To killing. To the suffering of totally innocent and blameless people.
Despite the military takeover in 2021, Sudan had been on the path to democratic civilian rule. It was working with the UN human rights system to build domestic institutions, and it was making progress. Surely we must revert to the political track – so evident and so important.
Dear colleagues, let us be the Council of Mr Annan’s vision. Let’s do all we can to help Sudan return to that path of peace, and let’s do it now.
We must send a united message of concern – and of horror – about the increase in human rights violations and abuses since the outbreak of the conflict. We must use our collective influence to break the cycle of impunity in Sudan, which only leads to further violations. There must be accountability for the horrific events taking place.
Mr President, I would like to express my appreciation for all those working tirelessly with the parties in Sudan to end the violence. Colleagues from the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Arab League and United Nations – virtually the entire cohort of the international community. It is vital these efforts continue.
To colleagues in the Council, I urge you to adopt today’s draft resolution, to express our united support for the human rights of the Sudanese people, and to work together for a swift end to this terrible conflict.
Thank you.
