UN official warns over excessive use of force on protestors in Sudan

November 16, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations human rights chief,  Volker Türk has warned against excessive use of force against protesters in Khartoum, including the use of live ammunition, calling for observation of human rights laws and standards.

The top UN official made the remarks at the end of his visit to the country.

“According to our own and medical sources, since the military takeover at least 119 people have been killed and more than 8,050 sustained injuries – many life-changing,” he told reporters at a press conference held in Khartoum on Wednesday.

Türk urged the police to establish a way to engage with the communities, accept the fact that they have legitimate demands and not to consider the demonstrators as adversaries.

“People have the right to peaceful assembly, and the State has an obligation to ensure this right can be exercised without fear of being shot at,” he explained.

Türk, who also visited North Darfur State, said reports of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, as well as men and boys were “deeply” worrying.

“My Office has verified 19 incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, mostly committed by the police in the context of the protests. There may be more, but victims of such violence often do not come forward due to deep social stigma, lack of faith in the justice system and fear of reprisals,” he explained.

None of the perpetrators in these 19 incidents, Türk added, had been brought to justice.

The UN Commissioner on Human Rights also documented rampant impunity for serious human rights violations and abuses, including by the Rapid Support Forces.

“My office has documented 11 large-scale deadly clashes leaving at least 1,091 people dead since January 2021. Attacks by mainly the Arab Rizigat tribe against non-Arab communities have resulted in the highest number of casualties,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the human rights chief appealed on all sides involved in the political process in Sudan to go the extra mile, to work towards prompt restoration of civilian rule in the country and bring to an end the uncertainty that has left much of the population in peril.

He said the UN Human Rights Office is ready to continue working with various actors in Sudan to strengthen the state’s capacity to promote and protect human rights and respect for the rule of law, support legal reforms, monitor and report on the human rights situation and support the strengthening of civic and democratic space.

“My Office is ready to share our expertise in the area of transitional justice, based on models used and lessons learned from such processes in other countries,” he noted.

This was Türk’s first official visit to Sudan since becoming human rights chief.

(ST)