The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has raised a serious alarm regarding the escalating human rights abuses in Sudan, warning that growing impunity is fostering widespread violations as armed conflicts spread. In their recent report, UN investigators describe numerous attacks on civilians, healthcare centres, markets, and schools, alongside ethnically motivated extrajudicial killings. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasised the dire failure of both parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws.
Türk stated, “The continued and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects… underscore the utter failure by both parties to respect the rules and principles of international humanitarian and human rights law.” He called for urgent investigations into acts that might be classified as war crimes, insisting on accountability for those responsible.
After 22 months of fierce conflict between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the humanitarian crisis has reached staggering proportions, with over 30 million individuals needing aid and protection. This prolonged violence has led to the world’s worst displacement crisis, with more than 12 million people uprooted from their homes, including 3.3 million who have fled to neighbouring countries.
As resources dwindle, Sudan faces dire food insecurity and healthcare shortages, with less than a quarter of medical facilities operational in the most affected areas. Nearly 25 million people now suffer from severe hunger, painting a bleak picture of humanitarian collapse.
The report draws attention to the alarming use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, documenting 120 incidents affecting at least 203 victims. However, numerous cases likely remain unreported due to fear and the breakdown of medical services. Turks called this trend “deeply shocking,” categorising it as a profound violation that urgently needs redress.
Further compounding the crisis, the report depicts a crackdown on civic freedoms, highlighting cases of journalists’ killings and attacks on human rights advocates. In 2024 alone, OHCHR recorded over 4,200 civilian deaths in the conflict, though actual figures may be considerably higher.
Li Fung, leading the OHCHR office in Sudan, characterised the current situation as a “dangerous tipping point”. During a recent address, she urged the international community to renew its commitment to protecting human rights and facilitating humanitarian assistance. Fung asserted that it is critical for the global community to rise together and support the plight of Sudanese civilians.
The UN rights office warns of escalating abuses in Sudan, attributing rising violations to impunity as fighting spreads. Over 30 million people need aid, with record displacement and severe hunger threatening survival. Reports indicate widespread sexual violence, political repression, and the killing of journalists. The OHCHR calls for renewed international action to safeguard human rights and deliver humanitarian assistance as the situation reaches a critical juncture.
In summary, the escalating violence and human rights abuses in Sudan, compounded by rampant impunity and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, demand urgent international attention. With millions displaced and severe food shortages prevalent, it remains imperative for global actors to focus on upholding human rights and providing much-needed assistance. As the situation nears a dangerous tipping point, concerted efforts must be made to protect civilians and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence.
Original Source: news.un.org
