International Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR) | European Association for the Defence of Minorities (EADM) | The Youth Future Alliance (TYFA) | Post Versa
Civil Society Panel in Geneva Addresses Systematic Violations Against Women in Sudan, Urges ICC Referral and OPCW Investigation into Chemical Weapons Use.
GENEVA — Civil society leaders, human rights defenders, and legal experts convened in Geneva today for an international panel titled “Women’s Condition and Violence in Wartime: Focus on the Sudan Crisis.”
The session examined the severe deterioration of human rights and international humanitarian law standards in Sudan, with a focus on gender-based violence, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and reported chemical weapons employment.
The panel comprised Ramon Rahangmetan (Co-founder, Circle of Sustainable Europe).
Manel Msalmi (President, EADM; Advisor on MENA Affairs, European Parliament).
Andy Vermaut (Vice President, EADM; President, World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue).
Abdel-Rahim Grein (Representative, ICHR).
Dr. Mohamed Ali (ICHR).
Core Human Rights Findings Presented Panelists presented evidence detailing grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law across Sudan:
Gender-Based and Sexual Violence: Interventions underscored that sexual violence, rape, and forced displacement are being utilized systematically as instruments of warfare.
Speakers highlighted that these atrocities reflect long-standing patterns of structural violence and cause enduring physical and psychological trauma to survivors.
Chemical Weapons Allegations:-
Submissions highlighted documented incidents from Omdurman (2024) involving chemical agents attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Presenters detailed severe, long-term health consequences for exposed civilian populations, particularly women and children, including respiratory failure and congenital physical deformities.
Militarization of Essential Infrastructure:
Reports indicate that over 80 percent of health facilities in active conflict zones have been rendered non-functional, destroyed, or converted to military use.
The targeted destruction of medical facilities, schools, and essential utility infrastructure has crippled maternal care and access to basic education.
Joint Call to Action The co-organizing human rights organizations call upon the United Nations, the European Union, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the broader international community to implement the following priority measures:
Area of Intervention Priority Action Required Accountability & Justice Establish an independent, international fact-finding mission with technical OPCW participation to investigate alleged chemical weapons use and gender-based crimes, with a direct referral of perpetrators to the ICC without immunity.
Civilian Protection Mandate and enforce a robust protection framework, including a comprehensive no-fly zone over civilian population centers, to mitigate indiscriminate aerial bombardment and drone strikes.
Humanitarian Access Guarantee immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian corridors across all territorial boundaries to deliver emergency medical care, food relief, and reproductive healthcare services. Survivors’ Support Direct dedicated international funding toward survivor-centered medical, psychological, and specialized toxicological care for victims of chemical agent exposure and conflict-related sexual violence.
Women, Peace & Security Ensure the direct, meaningful, and non-tokenistic participation of Sudanese women in all formal peace negotiations, transitional mechanisms, and constitutional processes, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Contextual Background & Key Data Forced Displacement: According to UNHCR data (April 2026), approximately 14 million people—nearly one-quarter of Sudan’s population—have been displaced since April 2023, including over 4.4 million refugees seeking protection across international borders.
Acute Food Insecurity:
Over half of the civilian population faces emergency levels of food insecurity, with famine conditions verified across multiple regions.
Ongoing Violence in Kordofan:
UN OCHA reports confirm that over 200,000 individuals have experienced recent displacement in the Kordofan region following sustained strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Media Contacts & Information Enquiries:
Email: WCPDCD.eadm@gmail.com
International Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR): www.ichr-international.org info@ichr-international.org Advancing Human Rights • Peace • Justice
European Association for the Defence of Minorities (EADM): facebook.com/p/European-Association-for-The-Defense-of-Minorities-100068442871271
The Youth Future Alliance (TYFA): www.theyfa.com
(Full statements, technical reports, and legal submissions are available to international monitoring bodies upon request.)
