STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE TOTAL ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
No Peace with Weapons of Mass Destruction — No Justice Without an Independent Investigation into Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Sudan
On the occasion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on 26 September, Shahid Evidence Platform for Digital Evidence and Human Rights Documentation renews its call for a world free from all weapons of mass destruction and for the protection of people from their catastrophic consequences. Such weapons do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, and their effects can extend across generations, damage the environment, and undermine the rights of communities to life, security, and health.
Although this international day is specifically dedicated to advancing the elimination of nuclear weapons, the humanitarian principles underpinning it require the absolute rejection of all internationally prohibited weapons, including chemical and biological weapons and other methods of warfare that cause widespread, indiscriminate, or unnecessary suffering.
In this context, Shahid Evidence expresses its grave concern over the growing reports, information, and allegations concerning the possible use of toxic chemicals during the ongoing war in Sudan. Such incidents may have serious health and environmental consequences and pose a direct threat to civilians and communities living in conflict-affected areas.
These allegations became even more serious following the United States’ announcement in May 2025 that it had determined that the Government of Sudan used chemical weapons during 2024. The matter has also been raised within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, where several African countries formally requested clarifications from Sudan under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
While recognising that these positions do not replace an independent international technical investigation, Shahid Evidence stresses that allegations of such gravity must not be addressed solely through political statements or domestic investigations. They require urgent, impartial, and credible international action to establish what occurred, identify any substances that may have been used, determine the locations of the alleged incidents, and establish responsibility.
Shahid Evidence therefore calls for:
1. The establishment of an independent and impartial international investigative mechanism with the necessary technical expertise, mandate, and resources to investigate all allegations involving the use of chemical weapons or toxic substances in Sudan.
2. Safe and unconditional access for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to suspected locations, enabling its experts to collect samples, conduct laboratory analyses, and interview victims, witnesses, medical personnel, and other relevant sources.
3. Full cooperation by the Sudanese authorities, given Sudan’s status as a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, including the provision of all requested information, records, access, and clarifications.
4. An obligation upon all parties to the conflict to preserve incident sites and protect medical, physical, and digital evidence from tampering, removal, concealment, contamination, or destruction.
5. Effective protection for victims, witnesses, medical workers, whistleblowers, investigators, and human rights documenters, ensuring that they are not subjected to threats, intimidation, retaliation, or prosecution for cooperating with international investigative bodies.
6. Independent medical and environmental examinations in potentially affected areas, alongside appropriate treatment and long-term care for individuals showing symptoms that may be associated with exposure to toxic substances.
7. The referral of credible investigative findings to the competent judicial mechanisms and the prosecution of anyone proven to have ordered, planned, facilitated, carried out, concealed, or obstructed accountability for the use of chemical weapons, regardless of rank or official position.
The use of chemical weapons is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any military, political, or security circumstances. Silence regarding serious allegations, or obstruction of efforts to investigate them, increases the risk of recurrence and exposes civilians to further harm.
On this international occasion, Shahid Evidence reiterates that eliminating weapons of mass destruction must not remain a symbolic or seasonal slogan. It is a legal, humanitarian, and moral obligation requiring prevention, investigation, transparency, accountability, reparations, and effective guarantees of non-recurrence.
Within its capabilities and in accordance with professional documentation standards, Shahid Evidence will continue collecting open-source information, victims’ and witnesses’ accounts, and relevant digital material concerning suspected incidents. The Platform will seek to preserve such material in a manner that safeguards evidentiary integrity, protects the rights and security of its sources, and supports its possible submission to competent international investigative and judicial bodies.
Issued by:
Shahid Evidence Platform
for Digital Evidence and Human Rights Documentation
For the Truth… and for Justice.
