Time to break cycle of impunity in Sudan, say UN rights chief
September 12, 2023 (GEVEVA) – The perpetrators of gross violations in Sudan must be identified, investigated and held to account, a top UN official said.
Addressing the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday,
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was time to break the cycle of impunity in Sudan.
“Failure to hold those responsible for past crimes and violations to account has been a major contributor to the decades-long instability in Sudan, and it has ultimately fueled the current hostilities,” he remarked.
Türk told the Council that hundreds have died in ethnically motivated attacks by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia in West Darfur.
“Such developments echo a horrific past that must not be repeated,” he said.
The UN human rights chief further warned of the mounting civilian casualties, saying 1500 have already lost their lives to what he called a pointless conflict.
More than 7 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the conflict between rival military factions, the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) said.
During the briefing, Turks highlighted the increase in indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian areas, including schools, homes as well as in hospitals.
More than 103 civilians have reportedly been killed during military operations by both parties in Khartoum and Omdurman, including many women and children.
Five months on, over 5 million have been uprooted from their homes and 1 million are seeking refuge in neighbouring nations, humanitarian agencies said.
Türk said he was “repulsed to hear of the ongoing epidemic of conflict-related sexual violence,” as over 45 incidents with nearly 100 victims, including 19 children, were reported to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to the UN data availed, the majority of perpetrators – around 78 per cent – have been men in RSF uniform or armed men affiliated with the RSF.
Türk said, although promises have been made by both sides to investigate allegations, “the silence has been deafening, with nobody held to account.”
“It is time that the perpetrators of these gross violations are identified”, he noted.
Meanwhile, the top UN human rights official said it was time for the two generals to cease the violence, to return to political talks, and to comply at once with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
“We need coordinated political will, engagement and cooperation from those with influence in the international community to bring an end to this tragedy,” he said.
At least 20.3 million people across Sudan are acutely food insecure and need food and livelihood assistance between July and September 2023, according to the latest integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on the war-torn nation.
(ST)