A significant demonstration in solidarity with Sudanese victims of alleged chemical weapons attacks convened outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. The protest attracted over 50 participants from various EU and UN organizations, alongside a coalition of Sudanese human rights groups under the banner of the ‘Sudanese Peace Forum.’ Their unified call was for immediate action to end the conflict in Sudan and to hold the Sudanese military accountable for purported human rights violations.
Representatives from ECOSOC-accredited human rights organizations in Geneva implored the international community to uphold the rights of the Sudanese people and to facilitate an end to the ongoing war. Angelina Tkachenko, a human rights advocate and representative of Peace for Asia, emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“The situation unfolding in Sudan demands the world’s attention. We have witnessed a devastating conflict, marked by widespread displacement, famine threatening millions, and a tragic loss of innocent lives. Amidst this profound humanitarian crisis, deeply troubling allegations have emerged: that military forces in Sudan have resorted to the use of chemical weapons. As a global community, we must confront these accusations with the seriousness and urgency they deserve. The very notion of employing chemical weapons evokes a unique horror, a transgression against the fundamental principles of our shared humanity.”
Charlotte Zehrer, a human rights lawyer at Global Human Rights Defense and speaker at the UN assembly, underscored the importance of amplifying marginalized voices:
“Today, we are gathered here to shed light on one of the most devastating human rights crises of our time. Sudan is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions displaced, essential services obliterated, and civil society under siege. But among the countless atrocities, one stands out in its sheer brutality and inhumanity—and that is the systematic and targeted violence against women and girls. This is not just collateral damage; it is a deliberate weapon of war.”
Ramon Rahangmetan, Co-Founder of the Circle for Sustainable Europe, a European human rights organization, highlighted the necessity of upholding international law:
“The principles that guide us under international law must be more than mere words on paper.”
He urged the international and European communities to assist Sudanese civilians suffering from famine and violence, allegedly exacerbated by the use of chemical weapons by Sudanese armed forces.
Abdelrahim Grein Adam, head of the Peace and Democratic Transition Organization and a Sudanese human rights and peace activist, called for collective support for the Sudanese populace affected by chemical attacks and military aggression:
“We want peace in Sudan and we condemn the killing of civilians on ethnic and religious grounds. We want to end the Muslim Brotherhood rule in Sudan, end the bombing of civilians by military aircraft, and the use of chemical weapons against civilians. This position is shared by many international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and citizens, who demand responsibility and respect for humanitarian standards to avoid unnecessary suffering and human rights violations experienced by the Sudanese people.”
Mohamed Bebeker Mohamed, representative of the African Center for Democracy and Development, appealed to the international community to support peace initiatives in Sudan:
“We believe that dialogue is the only way to end violence and that justice can only be achieved through equality among all Sudanese. We call on all parties to prioritize wisdom, to choose negotiation over battlefields, and to embrace unity over division. We urge the international community not to remain passive observers but to take responsibility in supporting peace efforts and helping to end the suffering. We also call on every Sudanese, wherever they may be, to be ambassadors of peace and to reject all forms of hatred and violence. Sudan deserves peace. Sudanese people deserve to live with dignity and security. Let us make our voices a relentless cry for peace until the dream becomes reality.”
All participants, including human rights organizations, lawyers, journalists, and academics, condemned the alleged use of chemical weapons, violence against women and children, and discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Christian minority, by the Sudanese armed forces. They called for immediate action to halt the war and advocated for peace and dialogue among Sudan’s diverse ethnic, religious, and political groups to resolve one of the most severe humanitarian crises, which has resulted in over 11 million displaced individuals and numerous victims of famine and violence.