In the midst of a raging conflict in Sudan, the UN Human Rights Office reveals that entrenched impunity is spurring egregious human rights violations across the nation. Fighting intensifies, drawing in more armed factions and leading to a grave humanitarian crisis, characterised by attacks on civilian spaces like markets, schools, and health facilities. Ethnic violence is rampant, with summary executions shamelessly documented.
The report particularly highlights a disturbing trend: persistent assaults on medical institutions. In a troubling span between May and June 2024, nine such attacks were recorded in El Fasher City, primarily attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stressed the serious nature of these actions, indicating potential war crimes that necessitate immediate and independent investigation to hold perpetrators accountable.
Victims of conflict-related sexual violence are shockingly numerous, with 120 documented incidents from April 2023 to November 2024, affecting 203 individuals, predominantly women and girls. The geographical pattern of these violations reflects the spread of violence throughout the country, while under-reporting remains rampant due to societal stigma and the degradation of medical and judicial systems.
Amid escalating violence, journalists and human rights advocates face grave risks, with at least 12 killed and numerous others detained since the conflict erupted. The situation has spiralled into the world’s most significant displacement crisis, with alarming food insecurity affecting half the population and famine conditions reported in five areas. Over 70% of health facilities stand non-functional, and more than 90% of school-aged children have lost access to education.
By the end of 2024, over 4,200 civilian deaths have been tallied amidst this turmoil, though the actual count likely exceeds reported figures. Notably deadly incidents have included the RSF’s assaults on Al-Seriha and Azraq villages, claiming at least 141 lives, and a Sudanese Armed Forces airstrike on El Fasher’s livestock market, resulting in at least 50 deaths and over 150 injuries.
As the battle for control of key urban areas like Khartoum and El Fasher escalates, concerns for protecting vulnerable civilian populations rise. The UN Chief reaffirms the critical need for accountability; failure to address this ongoing cycle of violence perpetuates impunity in Sudan. The report will be presented to the Human Rights Council on 27 February, spotlighting the urgent need for international intervention to stem the tide of atrocities.
The UN report on Sudan highlights entrenched impunity fuelling gross human rights violations as fighting spreads and new armed actors emerge. Key concerns include systematic attacks on civilians, medical facilities, and widespread sexual violence. The humanitarian crisis has resulted in substantial displacement and food insecurity, with urgent calls for international accountability and intervention to address these grave violations.
Sudan faces a harrowing crisis of human rights abuses amidst rampant conflict, with calls for international accountability growing louder. Attacks on civilians, medical facilities, and the rampant use of sexual violence highlight the urgent need for intervention. The cycle of violence and impunity remains unbroken without accountability for the perpetrators, as outlined in the upcoming report to the Human Rights Council.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
