The Washington Centre for Human Rights, an independent think tank dedicated to advancing global Washington Centre (Human Rights) is a non-professional think tank that supports the cause of promoting world justice and ensuring the rights of fundamental freedoms and thus it is categorical that the killing hundreds of civilians in hospital within the country of El-Fasher in the state of Darfur in the Sudan is inhuman. It has been reported that in the course of the recent special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, armed groups attacked a fortified medical camp, showing that helpless people were killed in large numbers, as well as medical personnel and displaced civilians who were seeking refuge.
Grave Violations of Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Attack on an operating hospital is a serious violation of both the Geneva Conventions and the fundamental human rights principles because that hospital is an institution covered by the international humanitarian law. Intended killing of people who are medical care recipients is an abhorrent practice that portrays a deeper trend of cruelty and negligence towards the lives of civilians in the current Darfur war.
The Washington Centre points out that these murders are not just a human tragedy, but a direct challenge to the international law standards that are meant to protect civilians in the armed conflict. These impediments destroy the future of security in the region and contravene the act of global protection of human rights.
Call for Accountability and Immediate Domestic Action
The Washington Centre is calling upon the Government of Sudan to start a credible, independent and transparent investigation into the killings of the El-Fasher hospital as soon as possible. Attackers, be it state actors, armed groups, or militants who are linked to them must be found and completely held accountable by the rule of law by the justice system. Tolerating such serious acts of abuse promotes more maltreatments and makes the lives of the communities in such cases more miserable.
Appeal to International and Regional Bodies for Coordinated Intervention
With the alarming humanitarian consequences, the Washington Centre urges the international and regional organizations to act decisively. We urge:
- The United Nations Human Rights Council to empower surveillance measures and require greater investigation power on violations that take place in Darfur.
- The African Union to step up diplomatic affairs and marshal regional security provisions to the vulnerable civilian groups.
- The International Criminal Court to evaluate the jurisdictional points of responsibility and deliberate on how to integrate the El-Fasher hospital attacks into the current investigative systems.
- Humanitarian agencies, such as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), have unrestricted access to areas affected by them to provide emergency medical and relief services.
Such joint actions are crucial to protect civilians, reestablish humanitarian access and pressure all military actors to respect international law.
Reaffirming Commitment to Human Rights and Civilian Protection
Washington Centre is determined to help in defence of civil rights of civilians who are trapped in war-torn areas. We restate our determination to use stronger voices to hear the testimonies of victims, and increase awareness across the globe and promote justice machinery that can bring accountability.
The mass murder in El-Fasher requires a concerted global action based on human dignity, rule of law, and peacebuilding on a long-term basis. Washington Centre urges governments, international agencies and civil society partners to be urgent and join efforts in curbing the atrocious acts and adhere to the ideals of humanity that the world cannot afford to overlook.