Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Mr President.
The human rights situation in Sudan is catastrophic. New Zealand supports the convening of this Special Session and the ongoing work of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission.
New Zealand unequivocally condemns the continued violence against civilians, including the recent atrocities committed in El Fasher.
Sudan remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. At least 13 million people are displaced, tens, if not hundreds of thousands killed, and millions face acute food insecurity, including famine.
Mass killings, large-scale sexual violence and rape, including against children, and recruitment of children by the parties constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law. Reports of such acts are appalling. New Zealand continues to urge all parties to the conflict, including external actors, to negotiate an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. Humanitarian organisations must be granted safe, rapid and unimpeded access throughout Sudan. Human rights violations and abuses must stop.
Mr President, as Secretary General Guterres has said, “the situation in Sudan is spiralling out of control”. The international community must come together to support a negotiated humanitarian pause and a permanent ceasefire in Sudan, and ensure that the human rights of the Sudanese people are upheld.