BRUSSELS — A press conference was organized in front of the European Parliament by a coalition of international and European organizations, along with human rights and women’s rights advocates, to shed light on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan—one of the most devastating crises of our time. The coalition called on the international community to act now to stop the war and implement a peace plan in the region.
Speakers emphasized that the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces against civilians must end immediately and that foreign support for the Islamist army, particularly by Egypt, should cease.
Ramon Rahangmetan, Co-Founder of the Circle of Sustainable Europe, stated, “The use of chemical weapons is not only a war crime; it is a moral red line that defines whether humanity still governs.” He noted that reports from the U.S. Department of State, independent journalists at France 24, and various humanitarian organizations have confirmed the use of such weapons by the Sudanese government. Rahangmetan called for greater accountability and stronger sanctions against those enabling these crimes.
Amina Nsenga, author and women’s rights advocate, spoke about the dire plight of women and children in Sudan and the lack of global media attention to their suffering. “Sudanese women are victims of rape, physical and psychological trauma, and they are completely excluded from decision-making,” she said. “EU leaders must act now to protect women and girls and safeguard their mental health and well-being.”
Journalists and human rights defenders highlighted that following the Arab Spring, Sudanese citizens fought for freedom and democracy, hoping for a better future for youth and women. However, the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood shattered those hopes. Speakers criticized Egypt for supporting Islamist elements in Sudan, calling it “contradictory and hypocritical” given its own struggle against the Muslim Brotherhood. They stressed that Islamist extremism must be confronted everywhere to protect the lives and fundamental freedoms of the Sudanese people.
Jamil Maqsoud, head of the UKPNP, urged the world to stand with women and girls resisting oppression, dictatorship, and extremism—not only in Sudan, but also in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Women’s rights activists underscored the urgent need to end sexual violence and the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as the deliberate starvation of civilians by blocking humanitarian aid. They called on the international community to take immediate action to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.
Representatives from Bangladesh, Iran, and Afghanistan in Europe echoed these calls, emphasizing the importance of supporting secular voices and women’s rights in conflict zones. They warned that Islamist extremism poses a grave threat not only to peace and security in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, but to the entire world.