Sudan: Appalling Reports of Summary Executions and Other Serious Violations

The United Nations Human Rights Office has released a statement expressing grave concern over reports of summary executions, civilian deaths, and other serious violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has taken control of large parts of the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur and Bara city in North Kordofan state, resulting in a precarious situation for civilians. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged the RSF to take concrete steps to end and prevent abuses against civilians, including ethnically motivated violence and reprisal attacks.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN Human Rights Office has received multiple reports of summary executions, including the execution of civilians trying to flee, with indications of ethnic motivations for killings.
• Hundreds of people have been detained while trying to flee, including a journalist, and the likelihood of sexual violence against women and girls is extremely high.
• Reports suggest that dozens of civilians have been killed in Bara city, North Kordofan state, after it was captured by the RSF on October 25.
• The RSF has been accused of violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the prohibition of violence against individuals no longer participating in hostilities (hors de combat) and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
• The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Member States with influence to act urgently to prevent the commission of large-scale atrocities by the RSF and allied fighters.

Statistics:

• Hundreds of people have been detained while trying to flee (exact number unknown).
• Dozens of civilians have been killed in Bara city, North Kordofan state (exact number unknown).
• Reports of summary executions and other serious violations are ongoing in El Fasher and Bara city.