Sudan criticizes UN human rights chief over response to Wad Al-Nurah massacre
June 10, 2024 – The Sudanese government strongly criticized UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Monday, alleging that his statement regarding the massacre in Wad Al-Nurah lacked a clear condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are accused of perpetrating the attack.
On June 5th, the RSF allegedly carried out a brutal massacre in Wad Al-Nurah, located in Al Jazeera state, resulting in the deaths of over 100 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from political forces, armed groups, human rights organizations, and international bodies, who called for an investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The National Mechanism for Human Rights, a Sudanese government body, issued a statement expressing “deep regret” over what it perceived as a “brief description” of the incident by the High Commissioner, without explicitly condemning the RSF or calling for their accountability.
The mechanism further criticized phrases in Türk’s statement that it interpreted as justifying the attack, suggesting these were based on inaccurate information. It emphasized that targeting civilians is a consistent tactic of the RSF, which it referred to as a “militia.”
The statement also denounced Türk’s call for the RSF to investigate the incident, arguing that the group lacks the necessary command structure and has devolved into “gangs of looting and killing.”
The mechanism urged the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to provide an accurate account of the incident, explicitly condemn the RSF, and call for the perpetrators to be held accountable. It stressed the importance of preventing the RSF from justifying its actions and avoiding impunity.
The national mechanism reiterated its stance against equating the Sudanese Armed Forces, which it claims are legitimately defending the country’s unity and protecting citizens, with the RSF, which it labelled a “rebel militia” dissolved under national laws.
The mechanism called for pressure on the RSF to adhere to the Jeddah Declaration and protect civilians in Sudan. It also urged all international actors and human rights mechanisms to condemn the massacre, hold the RSF accountable, and acknowledge the responsibility of regional actors who provide the RSF with weapons and equipment used in attacks against civilians.
The RSF claims that Wad Al-Nurah harbours reservists and supporters of the former regime, and has released videos showing defensive structures built by residents to protect the town.