Statement of Condemnation on the Exploitation of Medical Personnel in Armed Conflicts

The Sudanese National Observatory for Human Rights expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the statements attributed to the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, which indicate the exploitation of medical personnel to achieve political gains and military victories.

The Observatory affirms that the use of doctors and healthcare workers within political agendas or military operations constitutes a clear violation of international obligations that guarantee the protection of medical personnel and healthcare facilities during armed conflicts. All parties are bound to respect the principle of medical neutrality and must refrain from exploiting it for any non-humanitarian purposes.

The Observatory also condemns any practices that shift medical work from an organized institutional framework into individual activities subject to military or political directives. Such actions negatively impact the quality of healthcare services, undermine accountability and oversight mechanisms, and endanger the lives of both patients and medical staff.

Furthermore, the Observatory warns of the dangers of what can be described as the “logistical infiltration” of the health sector, including the use of medical transportation, supply chains, and healthcare facilities for military or intelligence purposes. Such practices threaten civilian safety and erode trust in the healthcare system.

The Observatory reiterates that the protection and neutrality of medical work are fundamental pillars of human rights and must not be compromised under any circumstances.