On 19 February 2025, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights group, submitted a petition to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to address urgent violations of religious freedom and gender-based violence in Sudan. The escalating conflict since April 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, is wreaking havoc on human rights across Sudan.
The petition urges the ACHPR to focus on the plight of vulnerable communities, particularly Christians, who face severe threats including forcible conversions and detention. CSW reported widespread incidents of sexual violence and coercive recruitment of civilians, with distressing reports emerging from Darfur and Khartoum. Humanitarian access has also been hampered by a communications blackout since February 2024.
Moreover, CSW highlights the deliberate targeting of places of worship, which may amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. Both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks on their places of worship with churches often used as military bases during offensives. The violence has not spared medical facilities, resulting in dire consequences for health services throughout the conflict zone.
As the conflict engulfs more regions, residents grapple with increasing dangers from aerial bombardments and armed men, compounded by extensive looting. CSW urges the ACHPR to investigate these human rights abuses and ensure accountability for those culpable. They also call for protection measures for humanitarian workers navigating this perilous landscape, trying to aid the suffering civilian population.
The RSF recently convened in Nairobi to discuss a unifying “government of peace” in Sudan, which has drawn sharp criticism from the Sudanese government, accusing Kenya of violating international laws. The situation remains volatile, with escalating hostilities and humanitarian crises threatening to deepen.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has petitioned the African Commission on Human Rights concerning severe human rights violations in Sudan, invoking oppression against Christians amidst ongoing conflict. The submission highlights sexual violence, forcible recruitment of civilians, and the targeting of places of worship. The RSF’s recent gathering in Nairobi amidst controversy reflects the volatile situation, requiring urgent humanitarian intervention and international scrutiny.
The petition by CSW to the ACHPR underscores the urgent need to address severe human rights violations in Sudan stemming from ongoing conflicts. With reports of targeted violence against Christians and other communities, the situation necessitates immediate international attention and accountability for perpetrators. Ensuring the protection of humanitarian workers and the investigation of attacks on places of worship remains critical to alleviating the suffering of the civilian population caught in this grim turmoil.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
