High Commissioner Reviews Rapid Support Forces’ Human Rights Violations at the End of His Visit to Sudan

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, confirmed that the grave violations committed against civilians in Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces militia, including attacks on civilian infrastructure, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings, may amount to war crimes. He stated that he witnessed these violations firsthand through testimonies from citizens he met in Port Sudan, Dongola, Ad-Dabba, and Merowe. He called for an immediate end to these violations and for ensuring the protection of civilians.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the role of youth, volunteers, and civil society organizations in providing humanitarian services and legal support to victims of these violations.

Turk, speaking at a press conference held (Sunday) at Port Sudan Airport at the conclusion of a four-day visit to Sudan, said that the spirit of struggle for peace, justice, and freedom among the Sudanese people has not been broken despite nearly three years of what he described as a brutal war against civilians.

The High Commissioner expressed his concern about the repeated drone attacks on the Merowe Dam and power stations, which have led to power outages at hospitals and disrupted irrigation and clean water supplies. He warned that targeting vital civilian infrastructure constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

He also warned of the deteriorating humanitarian and food security situation, noting that conditions are threatening famine in Kadugli and that famine is at risk in other areas, including Dilling, due to the ongoing siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces militia and its allies.

The High Commissioner highlighted harrowing testimonies from war victims, including displaced children and women who were subjected to bombing, looting, and sexual violence while fleeing El Fasher. He emphasized that the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war constitutes a war crime.

He also referred to accounts of summary executions and the detention of thousands of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces militia in El Fasher, calling for the release of detained civilians, the search for the missing, and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches all affected areas.