News briefing
Translated and edited by: CFJ
Geneva: June 22, 2023
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an end to the suffering of the Sudanese people, calling on all States to help provide a solution to this disaster since the outbreak of conflict in the country since April 15, 2023.
Chaos and Suffering:
During the High Commissioner’s speech before the Human Rights Council to present the latest report on human rights in Sudan, he said: ” Since conflict erupted on 15 April, the country has been plunged into chaos. As the African proverb goes, when the elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In this situation, the people of Sudan are suffering, immeasurably.”
“We still see a reckless, senseless conflict taking place in a context of total impunity. The streets of Khartoum and its surrounding cities, of El Geneina and of El Obeid are stained with the blood of civilians. And millions are still in need of vital humanitarian assistance, which, in many places, has been all but impossible to deliver,” Turk added.
Quoting the report covering the human rights situation in Sudan from 11 April 2022 to 14 April 2023, Turk said: “Densely populated residential areas are being bombarded. The RSF are forcing people from their homes and looting their possessions. They have also attacked, looted and occupied hospitals, assaulting health staff and leaving medical services on the verge of collapse. And the suffering is compounded by dramatic shortages of food, water, cash, and electricity, with many on the brink of survival.”
Ethnic violations and attacks on activists:
The High Commissioner condemned the ongoing violations of human rights in the Darfur region and in West Darfur, where violence has now exploded along ethnic lines, as well as the blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law and the utter indifference to human life and dignity.
Türk reiterated his call for a humanitarian corridor between Chad and El Geneina, and safe passage for all civilians out of the conflict areas.
Ceasefire
The High Commissioner welcomed the new 72-hour nationwide ceasefire agreed on 17 June, urging the parties to respect their commitments to stop the fighting and allow unimpeded humanitarian access across the country.
“My heart goes out to the human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and others who have stayed behind, many of whom I had a chance to meet in November last year. I admire their courage. Defenders, particularly women, are facing mounting threats, including death threats. Journalists and media professionals are also encountering threats and hate speech. Some have been directly targeted on social media, accused of supporting the RSF, and threatened with death. Many others have been arbitrarily arrested or held incommunicado. Some have been released, but there is no information on the whereabouts of many,” he concluded.
