EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
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EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)

The European Union (EU) said human rights violations in Sudan are being monitored and documented, and those responsible will be held accountable.  

In a statement on Monday, the bloc urged the parties to the conflict in Sudan to ease hostilities immediately, allowing space for the resumption of a credible and inclusive political transition process.  

“We will continue to work with all regional and international stakeholders, including the African Union and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan, to achieve these ends.” 

The EU also welcomed the unanimous decision of the UN Security Council to extend until December 2023 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITMAS). 

Security chaos 

Chaos ensued in Sudan after fighting broke out in mid-April between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.  

Companies, homes, shops, and banks have been attacked and looted in various regions, including the capital, as the fighting turned residential areas into battlefields.  

The violations also reached hospitals, as armed men occupied many medical facilities, especially in the capital Khartoum and western Darfur region.  

The UN and the international community warned of a future humanitarian crisis after efforts failed to deliver aid due to the security situation. Some relief organizations’ offices were also looted and destroyed.  

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and the United States urged the warring parties to agree to and “effectively implement” a new ceasefire.  

In their statement, they said they continued to engage representatives of the military and the RSF who remained in Jeddah.  

They urged the warring sides to agree to and implement a new ceasefire after the latest one expired on Sunday.  

The statement said the discussions focused on “facilitating humanitarian assistance” and reaching an agreement on “near-term steps the parties must take” before resuming the talks.  

Meanwhile, violent clashes with heavy weapons continued in Khartoum for an eighth week, while local media reported that the Darfur region bordering Chad had also turned into a battlefield. 



EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235-million-euro aid package for Syria and neighboring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

The trip comes two weeks after foreign ministers from France and Germany visited, calling for a peaceful, inclusive transition, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by countries seeking to engage with war-torn Syria's new authorities.

"I come here to announce a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," Lahbib told a press conference in Damascus after meeting Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"Our funding will contribute to basic needs like shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education and emergencies among others," she said.

Neighboring countries have taken in millions of Syrian refugees over the years.

"We count on the authorities to ensure unrestricted and safe access for humanitarian actors to all regions of Syria including those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas" in the east, Lahbib added.

"We are at a turning point and the decisions that will be taken in the coming days and months will be crucial," Lahbib said.

According to AFP, her meetings were expected to focus on the future of the sweeping economic sanctions that the 27-nation bloc imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions lifted, but some European governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

"We want to see a bright future for Syria and for that, we need to see the rule of law being respected, human rights, women's rights," Lahbib said.

"What I've heard from the mouth of the current authorities (is) really encouraging... Now we need action.

"Let's help Syria but without being naive," she said.