Istanbul: An international symposium held in Istanbul has initiated a collaborative effort to address and combat war crimes in Sudan through the formation of a media and human rights alliance. Organized by the Sudanese Media Network Abroad in partnership with the Guardians of Rights Organization, the event on Saturday brought together Sudanese and Turkish media, human rights activists, and journalists from Europe, Africa, and the Arab world, alongside various human rights organizations and observers participating via Zoom.
According to Sudan News Agency, the symposium concentrated on two principal themes: the crimes and violations perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and the official and diplomatic efforts by the Sudanese government in regional and international forums. Al-Sadig Ibrahim Al-Rizeigi, Head of the Sudanese Media Network Abroad, highlighted the severe human rights violations, vandalization of state resources, and infrastructure targeting in Sudan. He described the scale of attacks on civilians, including murder, rape, arrests, torture, and forced displacement, as reaching indescribable levels.
In addition, Iman Fath Al-Rahman Nimir, Former Head of the Sudanese Human Rights Commission, emphasized that the war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan are significant humanitarian disasters recognized by the United Nations and international human rights organizations. She detailed the various crimes documented in UN reports and stressed the organized violence against women, including sexual assault and slavery. She reported on the forced disappearance of over 10,008 civilians and the discovery of mass graves, indicating the extensive nature of the atrocities.
Dr. Yassir Youssef, Head of the Guardians of Rights Organization, remarked on the comprehensive international condemnation arising from the documentation of human rights violations by the militia. He noted the destruction of civil objects, educational and health facilities, and cultural sectors, transforming the conflict from a political to a destructive one, supported by mercenaries from over seventeen countries.
The symposium saw contributions from human rights experts and media leaders, affirming the urgency of the Sudanese issue and the need for immediate international action. A consensus was reached to form an international coalition focused on addressing violations of international humanitarian law, human rights treaties, war crimes, and genocide in Sudan, aiming to halt these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
The event commenced with the screening of a film titled “When the World Was Silent… A Cry from Sudan,” depicting the violations and crimes committed by the RSF militia against civilians.