War and hunger could destroy Sudan -UN aid chief

Statement by UN aid chief Martin Griffiths
Published by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - unocha.org
Dated Friday 25 August 2023 - here is a full copy:

War and hunger could destroy Sudan - Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator [EN/AR]

(New York, 25 August 2023): The war in Sudan is fueling a humanitarian emergency of epic proportions. This viral conflict – and the hunger, disease and displacement left in its wake – now threatens to consume the entire country.

The intense fighting that has ravaged the capital Khartoum and Darfur since mid-April has spread to Kordofan. In South Kordofan’s capital, Kadugli, food stocks have been fully depleted, as clashes and road blockages prevent aid workers from reaching the hungry. In West Kordofan’s capital, El Fula, humanitarian offices have been ransacked and supplies looted. I am also extremely worried about the safety of civilians in Al Jazira State, as the conflict moves closer to Sudan’s breadbasket.

The longer the fighting continues, the more devastating its impact. Some places have already run out of food. Hundreds of thousands of children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death if left untreated.

Vector-borne diseases are spreading, posing a lethal risk, especially to those already weakened by malnutrition. Cases of measles, malaria, whooping cough, dengue fever, and acute watery diarrhoea are being reported across the country. Most people have no access to medical treatment. The conflict has decimated the health care sector, with most hospitals out of service.

Millions of people have been displaced inside Sudan. Nearly one million others have fled across its borders. As more refugees arrive in neighbouring countries, host communities are struggling. A protracted conflict in Sudan could tip the entire region into a humanitarian catastrophe.

A long conflict will almost certainly lead to a lost generation of children as millions miss out on education, endure trauma, and bear the physical and psychological scars of war. Reports that some children in Sudan are being used in the fighting are deeply disturbing.

It is well past time for all those fighting in this conflict to put the people of Sudan above the pursuit of power or resources. Humanity must prevail. Civilians need life-saving assistance now; humanitarians need access and funding to deliver it. The international community needs to respond with the urgency this crisis deserves.

25 August 2023

Download attachment (PDF | 138.42 KB | English version)

Download attachment (PDF | 235.06 KB | Arabic version)

View original: https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/sudan/war-and-hunger-could-destroy-sudan-statement-martin-griffiths-under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-enar

Martin Griffiths is a British diplomat who currently serves as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations. -Wikipedia

[Ends]

Sudan war crimes: Child soldiers in RSF & SAF battles

Report at Radio Dabanga
Dated Tuesday 22 August 2023 - excerpt:

Child soldiers reported in RSF and Sudan army battles

Fighting in El Shajara area of western Khartoum continued for the second day yesterday, following an attack on El Shajara Armoured Corps by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Darfur Bar Association reported instances of child soldiers fighting for both parties of the conflict in El Shajara. 

Child soldiers 

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) expressed grave concerns about the presence of children among army fighters in battles, some of whom were seen wearing RSF uniforms during military operations in El Shajara area. The Sudan War Monitor published a video in which a group of boys are shown operating a combat vehicle in the area. 

According to a source of prominent Sudan researcher and analyst Eric Reeves, “an ugly reality has started to emerge. Among the dead, there were many children killed fighting with the RSF,” most of whom are reportedly from neighbourhoods in Khartoum mainly inhabited by populations from marginalised regions of Sudan, including Darfur and Blue Nile region. 

The RSF used “money” and “false promises” to recruit the children, some of whom are as young as 14, according to the source. 

In a statement released yesterday, the DBA underscored that “international humanitarian law and various international treaties and norms prohibit the recruitment of children under the age of fifteen” into combat. 

It is considered a war crime in both international and non-international conflicts, as outlined in the International Criminal Court statute. The International Labour Organisation Convention and The Convention on the Rights of the Child also forbid children’s participation in military conflicts. 

Lawyer Nafisa Hajar, who witnessed children present at SAF and RSF posts, deemed it a blatant violation of conventions and an infringement on children’s rights. She believes “involving children in conflict zones is unacceptable, and will lead to psychological issues.” She urged the international community and the Security Council to address child recruitment as a war crime. 

View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/child-soldiers-reported-in-rsf-and-sudan-army-battles

[Ends]

Khartoum orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies died as fighting prevented staff reaching them

Hat tip with thanks to William Carter tweet and Evelyn Tremble @DrumChronicles https://twitter.com/DrumChronicles: #Sudan fighting - Khartoum largest orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies have died some of starvation as fighting between RSF militia and military prevented staff and humanitarian aid reaching the facility https://reut.rs/3WCVFoe

Even amid the overwhelmingly horrific accounts from across the country, this is one of the most jarring reports so far

I have such great sorrow, and so few words ...

Rest their sweet little souls https://t.co/hfMlsFHLaM

— William Carter (@WillCarter_NRC) May 29, 2023

SW Ed: So sad. Lost for words. God Bless and Rest in Peace + + +

ICC issued arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Vladimir Putin for “unlawful transfer” of children

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: The following report states that "International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 17 March 2023 for allegedly committing the war crime of “unlawful deportation” and “unlawful transfer” of children from Ukraine to Russia". 

Also, "during the 5 April Arria-formula meeting, representatives of several Council members—including Albania, Malta, the UK, and the US—walked out of the conference room when the contentious briefers took the floor".

Report from What's In Blue 

Friday 28 April 2023 - excerpt:

Arria-Formula Meeting on Abduction and Deportation of Children During Armed Conflict

This morning (28 April), UN Security Council members will hold a meeting titled “Addressing the Abduction and Deportation of Children During Armed Conflict: Concrete Steps for Accountability and Prevention”. 

The meeting is being co-hosted by Albania, France, and the US, together with non-Council member Ukraine, and is being co-sponsored by over 42 member states.

Full story here.

[Ends]

Eurojust works closely with Europol & Interpol to tackle human trafficking and crimes against children

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Good news. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has joined hands with EUROPOL. 

Note that EUROJUST works closely with EUROPOL and INTERPOL to tackle human trafficking and crimes against children. 

Let's hope the ICC receives verifiable evidence of the arming and training of children as soldiers to fight in Sudan and elsewhere. On its website the ICC states that it is a war crime to use children as child soldiers. 

This weblog Sudan Watch has a database containing thousands of reports of child soldiers used by Sudanese rebel groups and the LRA. Being a child soldier risks their health and life, ruins their brains, education and future.

If anyone in the media sees and collates verifiable news and/or photos of child soldiers in Sudan for submission to the ICC they'd be doing the ICC, Sudan, South Sudan, and all former and current child soldiers, a favour. 

Further reading

From the website of the International Criminal Court (ICC):

“Third, war crimes which are grave breaches of the Geneva conventions in the context of armed conflict and include, for instance, the use of child soldiers; the killing or torture of persons such as civilians or prisoners of war; intentionally directing attacks against hospitals, historic monuments, or buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes.”

View original: https://www.icc-cpi.int/about/how-the-court-works

______________________________________________

From the website of EUROPOL:

In general, Europol cooperates with states and other entities outside the EU based on operational agreements, strategic agreements and working arrangements.

The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. 

Europol is the European Union’s Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. It serves as the centre for law enforcement cooperation, analytical expertise and criminal intelligence in Europe.

On 25 April 2023, judge Piotr Hofmański, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said:

“I look forward to the enhanced cooperation and interaction which will take place under this Working Arrangement. Europol’s expertise and specialist knowledge is world-leading and the ICC is fortunate to be able to benefit from it. I am confident that the strengthened relationship between the ICC and Europol can enhance the capacity of both our organisations to discharge their respective mandates aimed at ensuring that serious crimes do not go unpunished.”

View original: https://www.europol.europa.eu/partners-collaboration

_________________________________________________________

From the website of INTERPOL:

We support investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The issues

Crimes such as genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes are of serious concern to the international community.

As well as the devastating effect on families concerned, these crimes have a lasting, destabilizing impact on the safety and security of communities, nations and regions for decades after they occur. 

Investigation and prosecution of these crimes are central to our common fight against impunity. […]

“INTERPOL, as a global player, can be a key partner in helping international tribunals and national authorities in having fugitives arrested. -Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor for the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

View original: https://www.interpol.int/Crimes/War-crimes

_________________________________________________________

From the website of EUROJUST - excerpts: 

Since its establishment, Eurojust has played an active role in tackling crimes against children in close cooperation with agencies such as Europol and Interpol. By facilitating effective cross-border coordination and cooperation between States, the Agency helps national authorities to detect potential cross-border links between cases, improve the flow of information, and exchange relevant information with a view to identify and prosecute offenders.

Trafficking in human beings

Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a serious and fast-growing crime area that affects millions of innocent people around the world and involves the severe violation of fundamental human rights. Human traffickers control and exploit vulnerable victims and make use of threats, force, fraud, deception or abduction. Traffickers predominantly capitalise on sexual and labour exploitation, often targeting individuals with limited education or financial means.

The fight of the national authorities against THB can greatly benefit from the unique structure of Eurojust. Since each participating EU Member State has a National Member at Eurojust, the Agency is able to effectively coordinate parallel investigations in several countries where victims are recruited, exploited and transported through or moved.

View original: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/crime-types-and-cases/crime-types/trafficking-human-beings

Crimes against children

Crimes against children include, inter alia, the sexual abuse of children, the trafficking of children and crimes concerning child abuse images on the Internet. Eurojust plays an active role in tackling this growing and particularly heinous form of crime, by enabling efficient cross-border coordination between different States. The Agency supports judicial authorities in detecting links with cases in other countries and facilitates cooperation among the respective authorities with a view to prevent further victimisation of children and to identify and prosecute offenders. A Contact Point for Child Protection is appointed by Eurojust to act as a focal point for its efforts in this field.

View original: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/crime-types-and-cases/crime-types/crimes-against-children

Eurojust @Eurojust on Twitter https://twitter.com/Eurojust

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

The EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, giving hands-on support to prosecutors in the fight against serious cross-border crime

Eurojust • P.O. Box 16183
2500 BD The Hague • The Netherlands
+31 70 412 5000

Source: Website https://www.eurojust.europa.eu

______________________________________________

[Ends]

ICC and Europol join hands to work for accountability

#ICC Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanKC welcomes Working Arrangement signed today between @Europol and ICC that provides legal framework to deepen cooperation in common efforts towards accountability.🤝

Read more here: ⤵️https://t.co/utyBywBf5p pic.twitter.com/JGi3hMIHG3

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) April 25, 2023