LOC02:24
23:24 GMT
LONDON, Nov 10 (KUNA) -- Twenty-five Western states condemned on Monday all the atrocities committed against civilians after Sudan's Rapid Support Forces' recent capture of the city of El-Fasher.
"We condemn all atrocities in the strongest possible terms and demand that the violence stops immediately," the 25 countries said in a joint statement, according to the UK Foreign Office.
They acknowledged the important work to document the nature of violations committed by the RSF in El Fasher.
"Impunity must end and accountability must be upheld. Protection and justice for the Sudanese people is not only a legal obligation but also an urgent moral imperative."
The signatories, including foreign ministers and senior officials, also expressed deep alarm over reports of systematic violence against civilians in Sudan.
They stated that they are gravely alarmed by the reports of systematic and ongoing violence against civilians during and after the fall of El Fasher to RSF as well as the escalation of conflict across North Darfur and the Kordofan region.
"Deliberate targeting of civilians, ethnically motivated mass killings, conflict-related sexual violence, starvation as a method of warfare, and obstruction of humanitarian access are abhorrent violations of international humanitarian law," reads the statement.
"Such acts, if substantiated, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law."
They stressed that it is intolerable that widespread starvation and famine persist due to access restrictions. They affirmed that the WFP, UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies must get the necessary permissions to conduct their life-saving work and reach populations in need.
They also urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, which includes an obligation to guarantee rapid and unimpeded passage of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. Civilians must also be granted safe passage.
"We call on the parties to immediately facilitate this in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2736. We also call on the parties to the conflict to agree to a ceasefire and a three-month humanitarian truce, as outlined in the Quad statement," added the statement.
They voiced concerns about attempts to partition Sudan and reaffirmed support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country and for the right of its people to live in peace, dignity, and justice without external interference.
"We call on the parties to come to the negotiating table. Only a broad and inclusive Sudanese-owned political process can resolve Sudan's challenges," they concluded.
The countries which signed or endorsed the statement are: The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Slovak, Czech, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Luxemburg, Romania and Switzerland. (end)
nbs.ibi