Khartoum: Rhino – The Al-Kanabi Conference Central Committee on Tuesday condemned what it described as a heinous crime committed against displaced civilians in the Al-Sinnut area on the morning of Monday, February 16, when they were targeted by an air strike by the Sudanese army, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians, including women and children, the extermination of entire families, and a large number of injuries.
The Central Committee added in a statement today: “What happened is, according to international legal standards, a serious international crime that may amount to genocide if it is proven that there was specific intent to target a particular group in whole or in part, and it is classified, at a minimum, as a crime against humanity or a war crime, given that it systematically and extensively targeted unarmed civilians not participating in hostilities).
The statement emphasized that targeting civilians and displaced persons constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the principles of protection of the civilian population, foremost among which are the principles of distinction and proportionality and is a serious breach of the legal obligation’s incumbent upon the parties to the conflict.
The statement called for an independent and transparent international investigation into this crime, for all those responsible to be held accountable and for no impunity to be allowed, including through the relevant international mechanisms, foremost among which is the International Criminal Court. It also called for victims and their families to be compensated and given justice, and for urgent and effective measures to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians and displaced persons and to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.
The Central Committee of the Kanaabi concluded its statement by saying: “The protection of civilians is not a political choice, but a firm legal and moral obligation, and any negligence in this regard is considered indirect participation in the continuation of crimes and violations.
