Urgent Call for Justice: Demanding Comprehensive Arms Embargo to End Rampant Human Rights Abuses in Sudan’s War
Conflict in Sudan Escalates, Causing Massive Displacement and Atrocities
Since mid-April 2023, the conflict in Sudan has spread to 14 of the 18 states, affecting the entire country and surrounding regions, according to Mohamed Chande Othman, Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. This violence has displaced eight million Sudanese internally and forced over two million to flee to neighboring countries.
In its inaugural report after its establishment by the UN Human Rights Council in October 2023, the panel attributed extensive attacks on civilians, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure to both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with their allies. These actions, including airstrikes and shelling in densely-populated areas like Khartoum and Darfur, were deemed to disregard non-combatant protection, with many amounting to international crimes.
Despite the Sudanese Government’s refusal to cooperate, investigators gathered firsthand testimonies from 182 survivors. They found evidence of widespread sexual violence by RSF members, particularly in Darfur and greater Khartoum. Victims reported attacks in their homes and sexual violence while seeking shelter or fleeing.
The report highlighted “ethnic-based attacks” on non-Arab civilians, especially the Masalit people in El Geneina, West Darfur’s capital. RSF and allied militias reportedly killed thousands and committed horrific acts such as torture and rape. Masalit men were systematically targeted, and community leaders were singled out.
Experts criticized the Sudanese military’s failure to protect civilians and called for an international arms embargo and a peacekeeping force to curb hostilities. They also noted the recruitment of child soldiers by SAF and its allies.
Finally, the panel advocated for accountability through a special tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of these grave crimes, emphasizing the need for an international judicial mechanism due to the lack of local confidence.
Original Story https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/09/1154011
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