UN report documents widespread human rights violations in Sudan

A UN report published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today, Thursday, confirmed the prevalence of a pattern of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of detainees, and inhumane conditions in detention facilities by the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum State, which reflects practices documented in other conflict-affected areas in Sudan.

According to the report, since the outbreak of the conflict, tens of thousands of people, including women and children, have been detained without charge in “squalid and overcrowded” facilities, with limited or no contact with their families.

In this context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said, “No one should be deprived of their liberty without due process of law, nor subjected under any circumstances to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

The report, which covers the period from the start of the conflict on 15 April 2023 to June 2024, is based on 34 interviews with former detainees, witnesses and family members who recounted their experiences to the Commission.

Former detainees provided credible accounts of horrific torture and ill-treatment, including severe and repeated beatings in detention facilities. They also described dire conditions in severely overcrowded detention facilities, limited access to sanitation, and inadequate food and water.

They said that several detainees had died in detention due to lack of treatment in RSF facilities.

The report also documents the use of children as young as 14 by the RSF as guards, particularly in Soba Prison, and the detention of children as young as 13 with adults. Cases of sexual violence and exploitation of female detainees were also reported in two detention facilities controlled by the RSF.

In addition, former detainees reported discriminatory treatment based on ethnicity and perceived affiliation with the opposing party to the conflict, with individuals from African tribes reportedly being repeatedly tortured and ill-treated in RSF facilities.

While the report focuses on practices in detention facilities in Khartoum state, OHCHR has documented similar patterns in other parts of Sudan, including Darfur and Al-Jazeera state.

In recent months, as the Sudanese Armed Forces have regained control of certain areas, the Office has received credible reports of RSF transferring detainees from detention facilities mentioned in the report to other locations. The High Commissioner said that these practices “raise deep concern, increase the risk of violating international human rights standards and norms, and undermine due process and the rule of law.

#Risk of escalating conflict and fragmenting the country

For its part, the UN Security Council expressed its deep concern over the signing of a charter to establish a parallel governing authority in Sudan, stressing that such actions “threaten to exacerbate the ongoing conflict in Sudan, fragment the country, and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation.”

The members of the Security Council affirmed in a statement their strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, stressing that any unilateral steps that would undermine these principles “threaten the stability of Sudan and the region more broadly.”

They called on the parties to the conflict to seek an immediate cessation of hostilities and engage in good faith in political dialogue and diplomatic efforts towards a permanent ceasefire.

The members of the Council also welcomed the call by the African Union and UN Secretary-General António Guterres to declare an urgent ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, and renewed their call for all parties to comply with their obligations under the Jeddah Declaration.

They stressed the importance of a genuine, inclusive and transparent national dialogue leading to a free, fair and democratically elected national government, after a civilian-led transitional period, “to fulfil the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful, stable and prosperous future, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership.” The Security Council urged all Member States to refrain from external interference “that seeks to fuel conflict and instability,” support efforts to achieve lasting peace, abide by their obligations under international law, and implement relevant Security Council resolutions.