Cyprus is among the countries that signed the Joint Ministerial Declaration on the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Operations in Sudan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus said on Saturday, noting that all parties must respect International Humanitarian Law.
In a post on X, the Ministry stated that Cyprus had joined other countries in signing the declaration.
“We express our deep concern over the ongoing deadly unlawful attacks against civilians, particularly against women and children, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations. We condemn the appalling violence against civilians and all serious violations of International Humanitarian Law in the strongest possible terms,” the Ministry said.
It stressed that all parties must respect International Humanitarian Law.
War crimes
According to the declaration, in recent weeks alone, drone and missile attacks on trucks and warehouses of the World Food Programme, as well as on healthcare facilities, have resulted in deaths and serious injuries to civilians and humanitarian personnel and in the destruction of urgently needed humanitarian supplies and infrastructure.
“Deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel, vehicles or supplies, as well as the intentional obstruction of aid delivery, violate international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes,” it adds.
The statement notes that these violations may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity “and must be investigated promptly and impartially, with those responsible for international crimes brought to justice.”
The Ministers reiterate their call on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied militias “to cease hostilities immediately.”
The declaration was signed by EU Foreign Ministers, including Cyprus' Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos, as well as the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, and ministers from other European and third countries.