A UN report has revealed extensive violations of human rights by both the RSF and SAF in Sudan, detailing patterns of arbitrary detention, torture, and the ill-treatment of detainees. It highlights the plight of tens of thousands held without charges in squalid conditions, including children. There are calls for immediate cessation of these practices and greater international involvement to ensure justice.
A recent report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reveals a troubling pattern of arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment of individuals by both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Khartoum State. The report indicates that since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, tens of thousands, including vulnerable women and children, have been wrongfully held without charges under severely overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern regarding these widespread abuses, stating that “the practices of arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment of detainees, and inhumane conditions… are deeply disturbing.” Furthermore, he emphasized that no individual should be deprived of liberty without due process or subjected to cruel treatment.
The report’s findings are grounded in testimonies gathered from 34 interviews with former detainees and witnesses. Many recounted experiences of extreme violence, including regular beatings, inadequate sanitation, and severe shortages of essential resources like food and water. Disturbingly, there are reports of detainees dying due to insufficient medical care.
In addition to the alarming treatment of detainees, the report highlights the troubling use of child soldiers by the RSF and incidents of sexual violence against women in detention. Ethnic discrimination was also brought to light, with individuals from regions like Darfur and Kordofan facing disproportionate violence based on their ethnicity.
The international community is urged to intervene and address the rampant violations outlined in the report, including arbitrary detention and torture. The findings also note that enforced disappearances pose significant risks, with families often uninformed about the fates of their detained relatives, contributing to a sense of fear and helplessness.
While the focus remains on Khartoum, the UN notes similar human rights issues emerging in other regions, including Darfur and Al Jazirah State. Reports also suggest transfers of detainees to various locations, likely to evade scrutiny. These practices, according to Commissioner Türk, severely compromise the rule of law and human rights norms, necessitating immediate action to rectify these issues.
The UN High Commissioner’s report highlights serious human rights violations occurring in Sudan amidst ongoing conflict. Urging both RSF and SAF to halt practices of arbitrary detention and torture, the report stresses the importance of access to justice and due process. International engagement is imperative to address these violations and restore human dignity. The persistence of ethnic discrimination and reports of enforced disappearances underscores the urgency of intervention to mitigate a growing humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
