Press Release
UN experts have condemned the escalating violence against civilians in Sudan, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian crisis triggered by the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The crisis has displaced 11 million people, over half of whom are children, amid flagrant violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
The experts reported indiscriminate use of artillery, airstrikes, and explosive weapons by all parties, resulting in immediate civilian casualties and long-term threats from unexploded ordnance. Siege tactics in cities like El Fasher, severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, destruction of farmland, and attacks on aid workers have exacerbated a man-made famine.
The UN experts expressed outrage at the deliberate targeting of civilians, condemning recent RSF attacks in Al-Jazirah State. They received alarming reports of forced displacement, torture, mistreatment, extrajudicial executions, and arbitrary arrests based on ethnic identity. These actions point to an increasing pattern of atrocities against ethnic minorities that may amount to crimes against humanity.
The experts voiced grave concern over the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly by RSF forces. Documented abuses include rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and human trafficking under conditions of severe violence, amounting to torture.
They emphasized the dire situation faced by the Sudanese people, trapped between conflict, famine, crime, disasters, and disease. The experts called on the SAF and RSF to halt attacks on civilians, ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid access, prevent and punish sexual violence perpetrators, and provide protection, assistance, and reparations for victims.
They also urged a ceasefire, inclusive political negotiations, restoration of order and law, and accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
