UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : HRC 62 - Urgent debate

Excellencies, distinguished representative colleagues, I hereby declare open the 29th meeting of the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council.

In accordance with established practise, I would like to announce that the Council has, in close meetings, examined the situation of human rights in Tajikistan under the complaint procedure established pursuant to Council Resolutions 5/1 and decided to discontinue the consideration of the situation.

[Other language spoken]

On Tajikistan, the Council also took note of the measures and commitments presented by the Government of Tajikistan through the note verbal number C34/26 190 dated 25 June 2026 and requested the Government of Tajikistan to share with the Member States of the Council, through the Secretariat, by the Council's 63rd session updated information on their implementation in conformity with the confidentiality of the procedure.

Members of the Council should make no reference in the public debate to the confidential decision and material concerning the country.

Now turning to the urgent debate, Excellencies Distinguished Representative, we will now start our urgent debate as per usual practise.

Let me begin and recall a few practical details for the record.

On 29 June 2026, I received a letter from the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom and Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, also on behalf of Germany, Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Norway.

Requesting the holding of an urgent debate during the ongoing 60 second session of the Human Rights Council to address the human rights situation in and around El Obit N Kordofan in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Sudan as decided by the Council during its 24th meeting on Tuesday 30th of June.

We shall now proceed with this urgent debate.

The urgent debate will follow the same format as a general debate and will follow the the the time saving measures adopted by the Council on June 30th 2026.

Speaking time will therefore be limited to one minute and 30 seconds for all, with five minutes for the concerned.

For the concerned country, the list of speakers will close in 15 minutes.

I now give the floor to Mr.

Walker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for his statement.

You have the floor, Sir.

[Other language spoken]

President, Excellence is distinguished Delegates.

The signs from El Obeit are clear and unmistakable.

Another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan, this time in the capital of the strategic state of North Kordofan.

Civilians have been subjected to siege like conditions for 18 months, battered by relentless drone strikes as the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces battle for control over areas surrounding the city.

My office documented 15 drone strikes on Al Obeid and surrounding areas between 6 and 28 June, which killed at least 45 civilians and injured 41.

The actual number of civilian casualty is likely higher across the Kordofan region.

Drones launched by both sides have repeatedly struck markets, schools, fuel stations, water infrastructure and civilian vehicles.

In recent weeks, we documented damage to at least 13 fuel stations in Al Obeid and Al Rahad from RSF drones.

These attacks and fuel shortages have a compound impact, making it difficult for civilians to access clean water, food, transport and healthcare, and to communicate with each other and the outside world.

Shortages of clean water are reaching a critical point in An Al Obeid as the rainy season starts.

This puts people at risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera.

An influx of 10s of thousands of people fleeing violence in other parts of Cordovan is straining resources even further.

Some people are selling their belongings to finance their escape from the city.

For many, the exorbitant cost of transport and constant attacks on vehicles along exit roads make leaving impossible.

We have documented patterns of summary executions, abductions, torture and I'll treatment, sexual violence and looting along the routes taken by displaced people across the Kodofan region.

Those who stay in El Obeyed are also at risk of arbitrary arrest and detention.

People who have fled areas controlled by the RSF and allied forces are frequently accused of collaboration.

And all this takes place against the backdrop of rising hate speech.

[Other language spoken]

President, the international community cannot allow a repeat of the widespread atrocities that took place in Samsung camp for displaced people and in Al Fashar in North Darfur.

Last year, my office assessed that at least 6000 people were killed in the span of just three days when the RSF captured Al Fashar.

We found the RSF and Allied militia committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including mass killings, summary executions, sexual violence and torture.

These crimes were foreseen with repeated warnings by myself and my office, but they were not prevented.

This is not a drill, it is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world.

Their phones should be running hot in the coming days and weeks with ideas on how to prevent atrocity crimes in albeit and in other places in Kodafan where the same strategies are being deployed.

Reports by my office and others and this urgent debate call for strong action at the highest level.

The UN Security Council needs to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent atrocity crimes.

El Obeit is a classic case that that shows why the use of the veto should be limited as proposed by France and Mexico more than 10 years ago.

All leaders must use their influence to exert pressure on all parties, and particularly the RSF, to stop an offensive, on elevate, to end strikes on civilians and essential infrastructure, to stop the flow of weapons and to comply with their obligations under international law.

There also needs to be accountability for the crimes that have been committed.

I welcome the continued engagement of the International Criminal Court on Sudan as a path to that end.

In addition to efforts based on universal jurisdiction, the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of albeit must be guaranteed.

We urgently need a humanitarian pause to allow for the unhindered delivery of food and humanitarian aid into the city and it's surroundings.

[Other language spoken]

President, we also need to pay far closer attention to the political economy of this war.

The leaders of the warring parties bear the greatest responsibility for three years of appalling suffering, but behind them, domestic and foreign players are benefiting from the carnage.

Our upcoming report will focus on how conflict resources, specifically the trade in gum Arabic, are fuelling the war economy in Sudan.

Other key commodities include gold and livestock.

My office records and publishes information on business interests in other situations around the world.

We are ready to do the same on Sudan.

We also need to end the steady supply of weapons from outside the country to all sides, which continues with complete disregard for their use, in contravention of international law.

Without action to end this, the conflict risks continuing indefinitely.

I repeat my call for the arms embargo on Darfur to be extended to the whole country, and I urge concerted efforts by the international community to assume its responsibilities to protect the people of Sudan and support their efforts to build a peaceful, inclusive and democratic future.

[Other language spoken]

I now give the floor to Mr George Catrugalos, the Chair of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, for his statement by video.

[Other language spoken]

President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honour of addressing the Council today.

On behalf of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, we welcome the convenience of the Special session at a moment of profound urgency for the people of Sudan.

More than three years since the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the conflict continues to exact an enjoyable human cost.

Throughout this.

The Special Procedures have closely monitored developments in the country, repeatedly warning of escalating violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law and they devastating consequences for civilians.

Today we are particularly alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in El Obeid N Kordofan.

Reports of a significant military buildup intensified the artillery cell in and drone strikes, together with the prolonged seas like conditions and viewed by the city's population, point to an imminent risk of another catastrophic assault on civilians.

As the High Commissioner recently warned, we have seen this pattern before.

The attacks on Al Fasir City and the Zamzaman IDP camp demonstrated the devastating human rights consequences that follow when military operations are conducted in disregard of the fundamental principles of international law.

The United Nations Security Council also warned of the imminent risk of mass atrocities.

The international community cannot claim to be unaware of the risks facing the civilian population of El Obeid.

The warning signs are unmistakable and they demand urgent preventive action.

More than three years on the conflict, the Sudan continues as the international community has so far been unable to bring it to an end.

This persistent failure, together with the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, reinforces the broader crisis crisis of multilateralism and calls into question the credibility of the collective security architecture established under the United Nations chapter.

[Other language spoken]

President, the situation in Elevate must be understood within the broader context of a conflict that has become characterised by widespread and recurrent attacks against civilians, indiscriminate violence, forced displacement, arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and grave restrictions on humanitarian access.

The increasing use of explosive weapons, including drones, in populated areas has compounded the suffering of civilians, damaging essential infrastructure and further limiting access to food, water, healthcare and other indispensable services.

Serious tactics and repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure have left entire communities trapped in increasingly desperate conditions.

Women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate burden of this conflict.

The recent report issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights deeply documents deeply disturbing patterns of conflict related sexual violence over the past three years, including rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated as tactics of war and terror.

The report concludes that these violations have been committed on a widespread scale, frequently targeting civilians on the basis of their perceived ethnicity or affiliation, and have left profound and lasting physical, psychological, and social consequences for victims, very families and their communities.

Children continue to be exposed to unimaginable violence, deprivation and displacement.

Older persons, persons with disabilities, and other individuals in situations of heightened vulnerability face additional barriers to accessing safety, humanitarian assistance, and accessible services.

Journalists, medical personnel, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders continue to operate under extreme risks.

Why did you mend in violations and providing life saving assistance?

[Other language spoken]

President, one of the most troubling features of this conflict is not only the scale of the violations, but only but also the repetition.

The patterns that you mended over the past three years demonstrate that many of these abuses are no longer isolated incidents.

They have become recurrent features of the contact of hostilities.

This repetition underscores the devastating consequences of persistence impunity.

Special procedures reiterate that all parties to the conflict must fully comply with their obligations under the national human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Civilians must never be the object of attack.

Hospitals, schools, humanitarian facilities, and other civilian infrastructure must be protected.

Humanitarian actors must be granted rapid, safe and unimpended access to all populations need.

Civilians wishing to leave areas affected by their hostilities must be able to do so safely and voluntarily.

We further recall that serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law may constitute war crimes and, when applicable, crimes against humanity.

Those is possible, including those exercising and have responsibilities of command, must be held accountable through prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations consistent with international standards.

Accountability is not only essential to provide justice to victims, it is indispensable to preventing further violations and to laying the foundations for a sustainable peace.

This cannot endure when cry violations remain unaddressed.

Unaddressed victims are denied truth, justice and reparations.

[Other language spoken]

President, the Human Rights Council Member States and all those with influence over the parties must act with urgency to help prevent another human rights catastrophe.

Diplomatic efforts should prioritise the protection of civilians and the prevention of further atrocities, including conflict related sexual violence, while supporting immediate humanitarian access and the safe movement of civilians.

We also call upon neighbouring States and the wider international community to continue to provide protection and assistance to those feeling the conflict, to maintain access to asylum and to support humanitarian operations responding to one of the world's gravest displacement and protection crisis.

Finally, Special Procedures reaffirm their readiness to continue supporting the Council through dependent monitoring, reporting and expert advice.

We remain committed to working with the High Commissioner, the Independent International Fact Finding Mission for the Sudan and all relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, protect human rights and support the aspirations of the Sudanese people for peace, justice and dignity.

[Other language spoken]

I think this we should in times of time saving measures, we should take this into account.

I now give the floor to Miss Mona Rishwami, member of the Independent International Effect Finding Mission on the Sudan.

You have the floor, Madam, Mr.

President, High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, it is sad to meet again to discuss the situation in another city in Sudan, yet it is the task of this Council, as it is founding.

Resolution reminds us to prevent atrocities and to respond to human rights emergencies.

The UN Fact Finding Mission on Sudan remains committed to assisting the Council in its response in this important responsibility.

Today, Al Abayed and more than half a million residents, together with over 100,000 internally displaced persons, many of whom fled Al Faisher and other devastated Sudanese cities, are calling on this Council to act.

Despite communication difficulties, we have spoken with residents of the city.

Fear is pervasive fear for their own faith and for the fate of for the city and for the fate of their city.

That fear has been amplified by statements and videos circulated on social media accounts affiliated with the Rapid Response Forces, Rapid Support Forces, RSF showing military built up around Elobayed and preparations to enter the city.

Elobayed is a central civilian, administrative and humanitarian hub linking Central Sudan, Darfur and South Kurduvan.

RSF now has control over all routes surrounding it except towards the east.

Residents described growing military movements around the city by the RSF and increasing insecurity with drone attacks along exit routes.

Drone attacks by RSF and increasing in and around Al Obeid, together with targeting power stations, fuel depots, water facilities, transport routes and military positions, hospitals, markets, schools and residential areas have been reportedly struck, causing civilian casualties and disrupting essential services.

Women and children are among those killed and injured.

Food, fuel and transportation costs have risen dramatically.

Water shortages are severe, electricity is limited and access to Healthcare is deteriorating.

Many households now depend on rainwater collection and communal kitchens.

The danger facing Alobayed lies not only in the threat of direct attacks, but in its progressive siege and the erosion of humanitarian life flights.

We have seen this modest operandi by the RSF before, in Alfashir and elsewhere.

Growing encirclement was followed by restrictions on movements, disruption of aid and food supplies, damage to critical infrastructure, aerial and artery bombardment, and ultimately indiscriminate attacks against civilians.

The presence of the Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, associated military assets and affiliated forces within civilian areas is combined is combining fear among the population.

All parties must take feasible precautions to protect civilians.

SAF and its allies are also increasingly resorting to arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention and intimidation of individuals suspected of supporting the RSF, including those criticising the war, advocating for peace or expressing views on social media.

[Other language spoken]

President, we call on all parties to comply fully with international law, seize hostilities, and protect civilians and civilian objects.

The RSAF must stop attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including fuel depot, water facilities, transport routes, hospitals, markets, schools and residential areas.

SAF and it's allies must avoid locating military personnel and objects within or near civilian areas and stop intimidating civilians.

States with influence, particularly those providing drones, military assistance, or other form of support, must use their influence to protect civilians, prevent further escalation, and advance peace efforts.

This is not only a humanitarian imperative, it is essential to regional and international peace and security.

The people of Obeyed of Alabayed are counting on you.

[Other language spoken]

President, Thank you.

Now we turn to states statement by States and let me just make 2 points.

First is that the the states that take the floor would be divided along Member States and observer states.

So we start with Member States and then go to observer states.

And secondly, before I turn to the country concern and Member States and observer states, please allow me to remind and call on all colleagues to adhere to the language that is commensurate with the dignity inherent to the discussion on human rights issues.

I kindly request all speakers to uphold UN standards and use official terminology when referring to countries.

Excellencies, distinguished representatives, we will now hear from the country concerned and I give the floor to Mr Mohildin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Sudan.

Your Excellency, you have the floor.

[Other language spoken]

What you mean I have in my Martika from the whole of Tibetan Amnia, Sudania Sudania.

[Other language spoken]

HRC 62 - Urgent debate - 3 July 2026