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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised alarm over reports of extrajudicial killings in various parts of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. These violent acts are reportedly targeting individuals suspected of colluding with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Mr. Türk strongly urged the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) commanders to take immediate action to halt these arbitrary deaths, referring to credible reports linking the killings to SAF personnel, state security agents, and affiliated militias.
Grim Footage
The High Commissioner’s remarks come in light of disturbing videos circulated on social media since March 26, allegedly showcasing armed individuals in both uniforms and civilian clothing executing civilians in southern and eastern Khartoum. These videos depict the perpetrators claiming to be punishing those who support the RSF, a development that has left the rights chief profoundly disturbed.
A specific incident reported from the Janoub Al Hezam area of southern Khartoum detailed the alleged murder of at least 20 civilians, including a woman, by SAF members and their supporters.
Demand for Accountability
Mr. Türk emphasized that extrajudicial killings constitute grave violations of international human rights laws. He called for accountability not just for the individuals directly responsible but also for those bearing command responsibility, who should face repercussions under international criminal law.
This wave of violence is part of a broader crisis in Sudan, triggered by the failed transition to civilian governance following the ousting of long-standing leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The High Commissioner, having visited Sudan shortly after taking office in November 2022, has made significant efforts to protect the Sudanese populace from ongoing conflicts and deepening humanitarian challenges. He addressed both SAF General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in May 2024, seeking avenues for peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
Focus on the Human Rights Council
During the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the High Commissioner highlighted that over 600,000 people in Sudan are on the brink of starvation amid nearly two years of conflict. Mr. Türk reported that famine conditions have been reported in five areas, including the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, where UN World Food Programme operations were recently suspended due to escalating violence.
He also warned that five additional areas might soon face famine, with 17 others at risk, sharing harrowing accounts from humanitarian staff about death from starvation in Khartoum and Omdurman.
Displacement in El Fasher
In a recent alert, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that approximately 250,000 people—largely women, children, and the elderly—have fled their homes due to violence in the Al Malha region, approximately 180 kilometers north of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. Many of these individuals are scattered across 15 villages, lacking essential resources. Last week, the UN migration agency, IOM, reported that 75,000 people had already been displaced due to ongoing clashes.
This increase in displacement illustrates a severe worsening of an already critical humanitarian landscape throughout North Darfur. Concurrently, eastern Sudan faces a hepatitis outbreak among displaced populations at the Gharb Al Matar site in Kassala state, with more than 60 new suspected cases reported within just a few days, totaling 236 cases in under a month, exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Currently, it is estimated that around 8.8 million individuals have been forcibly displaced within Sudan, with an additional 3.5 million having sought refuge in neighboring countries. The overall humanitarian situation is dire, with over 30.4 million people needing assistance across various sectors, including healthcare and food. The operational capacity of hospitals and clinics remains critically low, with under 30 percent fully functional, leading to rampant disease outbreaks in displacement camps.
Rising Online Threats
Mr. Türk has expressed grave concern regarding the proliferation of online hate speech and incitement to violence, particularly targeting ethnic groups from Darfur and Kordofan regions. He noted the disturbing trend of lists of individuals presumed to be RSF collaborators being disseminated online. The High Commissioner called on Sudanese authorities to initiate independent, thorough, and transparent investigations into these alarming incidents.
Source
news.un.org