International Day for Tolerance 2023

While headlines run ceaselessly on the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly in light of the recent Al-Shifa hospital raids in Gaza that have led to the deaths of newborn and premature babies, violence and atrocities in Sudan have gone largely unreported. Six months ago, rival military factions led the country into civil war. Thousands have died and millions have been displaced, fleeing within Sudan and to neighbouring countries, such as Chad. Last week alone, 8000 people were believed to have fled to Chad, with reports of sexual assaults, torture, and killings targeting specific ethnic groups. The conflict continues to spread, as over 800 people were killed in Ardamata last weekend, an area that had been relatively unscathed since the war erupted in April. (Seidel, 2023)

Women and girls are reportedly being abducted and chained for sexual and physical violence. Paramilitary forces in Sudan are using sexual assault as a weapon. The dehumanizing conditions to which women and girls are subjected emphasize the need for gender-responsive intervention.

"More than 50 incidents of sexual violence linked to the hostilities have been reported to the joint OHCHR-UNITAMS (the UN assistance mission) office in Sudan, impacting at least 105 victims – 86 women, one man and 18 children. Twenty-three of the incidents involved rape, 26 were of gang rape and three were of attempted rape" (Almahady, 2023).

Meanwhile, both food and health systems in Sudan are suffering from the strain of armed conflict. A cholera outbreak has erupted and the country is in desperate need of vaccines. Animal disease outbreaks also require vaccination, as over 20 million people face food insecurity (Clarke, 2023). Moreover, children are invariably disproportionately affected by violence and war, with longer lasting effects. In the Sudanese conflict, 19 million children are unable to return to school with little access to food, water and healthcare (Elfatih, 2023).

November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance. The world we live in is naturally diverse, composed of a rich variety of cultures and heritages. In order to ensure the survival of that richness that makes the world so remarkable, a sense of inclusion and belonging must be fostered and each individual's fundamental human rights and freedoms should be recognized and respected. According to the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1995, "Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace" (UNESCO, 1995, p9).

The purpose of this day is to serve as a reminder of the significant harm that can be caused by intolerance, the affects of which will be irreparable for many generations to come. Awareness must be raised and commitments must be made to support tolerance and nonviolence in order for our planet to survive. Education is one of the great pillars of tolerance, as is true acceptance and inclusion. It is through education that fear and ignorance can be combatted and basic respect for human rights can be nurtured.

"Take all positive measures necessary to promote tolerance in our societies, because tolerance is not only a cherished principle, but also a necessity for peace and for the economic and social advancement of all peoples" (UNESCO, 1995, p9).

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Almahady, M. (2023, November 3). Sudan: Women and girls abducted, held 'in slave-like conditions' in Darfur. UN News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143177

Clarke, G. (2023, November 15). World News in Brief: Dozens dead in Yemen shipwreck, Pakistan expulsions 'must stop', FAO aids Sudan farmers. UN News. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143622

Elfatih, A. (2023, November 6). World News in Brief: Sudan and South Sudan updates, Ukraine heritage under fire in Odesa. UN News. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143247

Kheir, A. (2023, November 7). Sudan war turning 'homes into cemeteries': UNHCR. UN News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143317

Seidel, J. (2023, November 10). Sudan: UNHCR warns Darfur atrocities of 20 years ago may reoccur. UN News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143447

UNESCO. (1995, November 16). Declaration of principles on tolerance: adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its twenty-eighth session, Paris, 16 November 1995. UNESCO. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000151830/PDF/151830engo.pdf.multi