العربية
8 September 2026 | Brussels
Brussels for Human Rights and Development (BHRD) echoes the call of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and expresses grave concern over the continuing deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country.
BHRD shares the concerns raised by the United Nations regarding the mounting risks facing civilians and the continued impact of hostilities on homes, hospitals, markets, schools, displacement sites and other civilian infrastructure.
As the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues, millions of Sudanese civilians remain displaced and exposed to violence, insecurity and severe humanitarian hardship. The prolonged fighting has also placed enormous pressure on essential services, particularly healthcare, water supplies and humanitarian assistance.
BHRD stresses that the protection of civilians must remain an absolute priority and that all parties to the conflict must comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
BHRD Supports the UN Call for an Immediate Ceasefire
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Volker Türk renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to foreign involvement in the conflict and a return to inclusive civilian governance.
BHRD supports this call and emphasizes that a sustainable ceasefire is urgently needed to prevent further civilian casualties, facilitate humanitarian assistance and create the conditions necessary for a credible political process.
The organization further stresses that military escalation cannot provide a sustainable solution to the crisis. Meaningful international and regional efforts should instead focus on ending hostilities, protecting civilians and supporting a peaceful, inclusive and civilian-led political process.
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan have continued to document and investigate alleged violations connected to the conflict.
Growing Risks to Civilians
BHRD is particularly concerned by reports concerning the increasing use of long-range drones and other forms of warfare capable of extending hostilities far beyond traditional front lines.
Information presented to the Human Rights Council indicates that civilians have been killed or injured in attacks affecting residential areas, schools, hospitals, markets, displacement sites and community gatherings.
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan has reported reasonable grounds to believe that both the SAF and RSF have committed serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, some of which may amount to war crimes.
BHRD emphasizes that allegations of serious violations must be subject to independent and impartial investigation. Those responsible for crimes under international law must be held accountable through credible judicial processes.
All parties must respect the fundamental distinction between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives.
Sudan’s Healthcare System Under Severe Pressure
The deterioration of Sudan’s healthcare system is another matter of profound concern.
Hospitals and other medical facilities have sustained extensive damage during the conflict, while healthcare workers continue to operate under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. Damage to operating theatres, medical equipment, hospital wards and other critical infrastructure has further reduced access to healthcare for communities already facing enormous humanitarian needs.
BHRD recalls that hospitals, medical personnel, patients and medical transport enjoy specific protections under international humanitarian law. These protections must be respected by all parties to the conflict without exception.
Attacks on healthcare facilities do not affect only those immediately caught in the violence. They can deprive entire communities of emergency treatment, surgery, maternal healthcare, medicines and other essential medical services.
Concern Over Foreign Involvement
BHRD also shares the concern surrounding allegations of external involvement that may be contributing to the continuation or escalation of the conflict.
The organization supports calls for an end to foreign involvement that fuels hostilities and stresses that states and other external actors must ensure that their actions do not facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.
The international community has a responsibility to use diplomatic efforts to help reduce violence rather than contribute to further military escalation and civilian suffering.
Humanitarian Access Must Be Guaranteed
The continuing conflict has created immense humanitarian needs across Sudan and has forced millions of people from their homes.
BHRD calls on all parties to guarantee safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians in need and to protect humanitarian personnel carrying out relief operations.
Humanitarian assistance must be delivered according to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence and must never be used as an instrument of political or military pressure.
BHRD Calls for Urgent International Action
In alignment with the concerns expressed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international human rights mechanisms, Brussels for Human Rights and Development calls for:
- An immediate ceasefire and meaningful efforts toward a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
- Full protection of civilians and an end to attacks against civilian populations and civilian infrastructure.
- Safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan.
- Protection of hospitals, medical personnel, humanitarian workers and displacement sites.
- An end to external involvement that contributes to further military escalation or civilian suffering.
- Independent and impartial investigations into alleged serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
- Accountability for perpetrators of crimes under international law.
- Renewed diplomatic efforts toward an inclusive, civilian-led political process capable of delivering lasting peace and stability.
Civilian Protection Must Come First
The suffering of Sudan’s civilian population must not become normalized.
BHRD reiterates its support for international efforts aimed at ending the violence and calls upon all parties, regional actors and the wider international community to place the protection, dignity and fundamental rights of Sudanese civilians at the centre of every political and diplomatic initiative.
An immediate end to hostilities is essential, but lasting peace will also require accountability, respect for human rights and a political process in which the Sudanese people can determine their future through inclusive civilian governance.
Brussels for Human Rights and Development (BHRD)
Brussels, 8 September 2026
Sources: This statement is independently prepared by BHRD and draws on information and findings made public by United Nations human rights mechanisms. Primary institutional references include the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan.