UN Raises Alarm: Escalating Atrocities in Sudan Demand International Investigation

The United Nations has issued a grave warning about the escalating human rights violations occurring in Sudan, particularly targeting displaced individuals amidst ongoing conflicts. The crisis continues to worsen as refugee camps face violent assaults and millions of displaced people endure dire conditions, lacking essential resources such as shelter, healthcare, clean water, and food.

Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation Reports from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights document continuous attacks on densely populated areas, displacement camps, medical facilities, markets, and educational institutions. Ethnic-driven summary executions have become rampant due to prevailing impunity, further intensifying human rights abuses as new armed groups join the conflict.

Targeting of Healthcare Facilities The situation is particularly dire in El-Fasher, where Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are increasingly attacking healthcare centers. These assaults have severely crippled medical services, leaving civilians with almost no access to necessary treatments amidst ongoing violence.

Journalists and Human Rights Defenders Under Threat The ongoing conflict has also seen targeted attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. The UN Human Rights Office reports that over 12 journalists have been killed, including two while in detention, and at least 31 others arrested arbitrarily, among them four women. These incidents underscore the perilous environment for those attempting to report or defend human rights.

Civilians Bearing the Brunt of Violence The UN has confirmed the deaths of over 4,200 civilians due to hostilities in the past year alone, although actual numbers may be significantly higher due to security issues and restricted access. Notably, at least 141 civilians were killed, with more than 200 injured on October 25, 2024, during an RSF attack on villages in Al-Jazira State. Another tragic incident occurred on October 4, where an airstrike in El-Fasher resulted in the deaths of at least 50 civilians and injuries to over 150 others.

Urgent Call for Accountability and Action UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for stronger international measures to ensure accountability. He condemned the targeting of civilian populations and infrastructure, as well as acts of sexual violence that may amount to war crimes. Türk emphasized the urgent need for investigations to bring perpetrators to justice.

The UN report urges expanding arms embargoes and conducting further investigations into potential crimes against humanity in Sudan. From April 2023 to November 2024, at least 120 cases of conflict-related sexual violence were documented, impacting over 203 victims, including women and girls. Türk has described the use of such violence as a weapon of war in Sudan as 'horrific,' highlighting the need for immediate intervention to prevent further atrocities.

Breaking the Cycle of Impunity The UN stresses that accountability is crucial to breaking the cycle of impunity and violence devastating Sudan, urging all parties involved to take decisive action.