58th session of the Human Rights Council: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the comprehensive report of the HC, presented with the assistance of the designated Expert on human rights in the Sudan, on the situation of human rights in the Sudan

Thank you Mr Vice President,

New Zealand welcomes today’s Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the comprehensive report of the High Commissioner, with the assistance of the designated Expert on human rights in the Sudan, regarding the situation of human rights in the Sudan.

As the report outlines, the war in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the Sudanese people. Millions are dead or displaced, and Sudan now faces  one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

New Zealand is deeply concerned by the utter disregard for international law and protection of civilians. We deplore the reports of recruitment of children by the parties, and reports of sexual and gender-based violence, and ethnically motivated violence.

New Zealand calls on the parties to end arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, and to release, immediately and unconditionally, all persons arbitrarily detained.

New Zealand once again urges the parties to engage in good faith negotiations to reach an immediate cessation of hostilities. We underscore the need to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid.

High Commissioner, how can the international community help to reach a cessation of hostilities and pave the way for a transition to a civilian-led Government in Sudan?