We the Security Council signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments for the principles of Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States have come together to express grave concern regarding the continued reports of gender-based violence, including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in Sudan’s conflict.
Following the outbreak of conflict in April, multiple entities have reported systematic and widespread use of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, kidnapping, sexual exploitation and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, especially in Darfur but also in other areas of Sudan, including Khartoum. Women and girls are facing violence and harassment as they flee from one state to another. Homes have been looted, and reports of domestic violence are on the rise.
We strongly condemn the use of sexual and gender-based violence and call for the immediate cessation of violence against civilians. We are calling on all parties to the conflict to end any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including those involving sexual violence.
We echo High Commissioner Turk’s statement this past week: perpetrators must be held accountable.
And we continue to reiterate the need for the parties to immediately cease hostilities, facilitate humanitarian access, and establish a permanent ceasefire arrangement.