The Coffins of the Dead tell the tragedy
A Human Rights Exhibition in Geneva exposes SAF's crimes
Geneva: Assayha
At the United Nations Human Rights Square in Geneva, and in a rather shocking humanitarian scene, the Sudanese Future Youth Coalition, in cooperation with the Sudanese Human Rights Organizations Coalition, organized an unprecedented human rights exhibition entitled “Save the Civilians in Sudan.” The exhibition coincided with the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, held during the period from (March 20th to 22nd).
Dozens of coffins covered in the Sudanese flag lined the famous (Broken Chair Square), alongside images of war victims and signs of destruction, delivering a powerful visual message to the world documenting the grave violations and war crimes committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied extremist groups against innocent civilians, especially women and children.
A Visual Representation of the Victims’ Voices
The exhibition, which attracted nearly (100) visitors, including human rights activists, reflected through photographs, videos, and artistic symbolism the horrific reality facing Sudan after two years of war. As the ongoing war has claimed the lives of more than (150,000) people and displaced more than (12 million), including four million refugees, according to United Nations estimates.
The organizers emphasized that the aim of the exhibition is to expose the crimes and violations committed against the Sudanese people, reveal the truth to the world, and sound the alarm about the catastrophic humanitarian situation.
An Open Symposium Documents the Atrocities
On the sidelines of the exhibition, an open symposium was held, attended by representatives of human rights coalitions and international human rights experts. The symposium addressed issues of forced displacement, summary executions, torture, rape, and the burning of corpses, amidst assertions that groups allied with the Sudanese Army are responsible for a large number of these violations.
The symposium also featured a statement issued by (90) international organizations condemning the crimes committed in Wad Medani and calling for a comprehensive international investigation and accountability for those responsible.
An Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis
According to the (UNICEF) Executive Director, Catherine Russell’s statement during the UN Security Council meeting on (March 13th), Sudan is experiencing “The largest and most severe humanitarian crisis in the world today,” with outbreaks of epidemics such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, in addition to a near-total collapse of the health sector after hospitals and medical facilities were targeted by bombing and looting.
A report issued by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry also indicated a staggering number of cases of sexual violence, most of which were committed by paramilitary forces affiliated with the Sudanese Army, in the absence of accountability.
The Future Youth Coalition Coordinator stated, “In my country, rape is extensively used as a weapon of war, and the world must recognize that thousands of women and children have become victims of acts committed with impunity. This must end immediately.”
Urgent Appeal to the International Community
The Coalition concluded its participation with an urgent appeal to the international community, calling for the Sudanese crisis to be placed at the forefront of international human rights bodies’ priorities, for the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction to be expanded to include crimes committed by the Sudanese Army across the country, and for those responsible to be brought to international justice.
The Coalition also organized a solidarity vigil at the United Nations headquarters, attended by representatives of international human rights organizations. Slogans were raised calling for the opening of safe humanitarian corridors, the provision of urgent aid, and an end to the targeting of innocent civilians.
