Switzerland Report on human rights in Sudan alleges war crimes
In a report for the UN Human Rights Council, independent experts paint a bleak picture of the human rights situation in Sudan.
29.10.2024, 11:46
SDA
They see plausible evidence of war crimes or crimes against humanity committed by both parties to the conflict in the north-east African country. According to the report published in Geneva, serious human rights violations have been identified in the capital Khartoum and the Darfur region in particular.
Around a year and a half ago, a bloody power struggle broke out in Sudan between de facto ruler Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. While al-Burhan has the regular SAF army behind him, Daglo commands the RSF militia, which has been joined by other armed groups.
Serious violations, especially against women's and children's rights
According to the report, the conflict continues unabated and is causing "immense suffering" among the civilian population. In particular, it mentions serious violations of women's and children's rights. Rape is used as a weapon of war, with RSF fighters in particular committing mass rape and sexual slavery, it says.
According to the experts, both parties to the conflict abducted and forcibly recruited children and adolescents. Arbitrary arrests, air strikes by the army on residential areas and the looting of civilian facilities such as hospitals, storage facilities and private property, particularly by the RSF, have characterized the conflict since it began. Journalists, human rights activists and representatives of civil society who documented violations of the law were intimidated and threatened.
With more than eleven million refugees and displaced persons, the conflict has caused the world's largest refugee crisis according to the UN. In addition, the food situation is critical in large parts of the country with a population of almost 51 million. According to the UN, more than half of the population does not have enough to eat and there is famine in the refugee camps in the Darfur region.
