Enforced disappearances reach alarming levels in Sudan
December 5, 2023 (WAD MADANI) – The Sudanese Group for Victims of Enforced Disappearance (SGVED) has revealed that at least 842 civilians have been forcibly disappeared since the outbreak of the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023.
The SGVED’s report, released on October 21, 2023, documented disappearances in the cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, Khartoum Bahri, Madani in Gezira state, Al-Obeid in North Kordofan, and Nyala, Al-Fasher, El-Geneina, and Zalingei in Darfur. The report noted that the victims include men, women, children, and individuals with psychological disorders.
Othman Al-Basri, a member of the SGVED, told Sudan Tribune that the number of missing persons has now reached 842, with 127 of them disappearing from the Jabal Awliya area, located about 45 kilometres south of Khartoum.
Al-Basri also disclosed that the Public Prosecution in Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazira state, has recorded 471 missing persons cases.
Disturbingly, Al-Basri revealed that dozens of families of missing persons have received extortion calls demanding ransom payments ranging from one billion Sudanese pounds (approximately $1,000) to five billion Sudanese pounds (approximately $5,000) in exchange for the release of their loved ones.
Al-Basri urged families of the disappeared not to engage with these extortionists and to instead contact the SGVED directly through its Facebook page or the “Wait Them Where Campaign” page on Twitter for legal assistance.
The SGVED’s report further highlights the grim reality of enforced disappearances in Sudan. The report documents incidents of kidnapping, detention, and disappearance, often without any information provided to the families of the victims.
Observers who contributed to the report revealed testimonies from detainees who were subjected to beatings, prolonged exposure to the sun, deprivation of showers, and forced labour in RSF detention facilities.
The report also raises concerns about the safety of women and children among the disappeared. It notes that 49 women have disappeared since the start of the war, raising fears of potential sexual violence. Additionally, 18 children have been forcibly disappeared, violating the provisions of the Children’s Convention.
The report highlights the escalation of enforced disappearances during the first six months of the war, with May recording the highest number of cases at 141. Khartoum recorded the highest number of cases overall, with 309 disappearances, followed by Omdurman with 156 cases and Khartoum Bahri with 130 cases.
The report also notes that 110 cases of disappearance were recorded in areas within the scope of the war mandates, but their exact locations could not be determined.
The SGVED’s report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Sudan. The widespread practice of enforced disappearances is a grave violation of fundamental human rights and must be brought to an end. The Sudanese authorities must immediately investigate these cases, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.