UN fact-finding mission says 'appalling range' of rights violations committed by Sudan's warring parties

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - ​​​​​​​A UN fact-finding mission reported Friday that Sudan’s warring parties have committed an "appalling range of human rights violations and international crimes," including numerous acts that could be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The report states that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with their allies, are responsible for widespread violations. These include indiscriminate and targeted attacks such as airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks, and essential water and electricity supplies.

The report highlights that, beyond targeting military and political leaders, the warring factions have also attacked civilians, including those providing humanitarian aid or documenting abuses. These individuals have faced sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and ill-treatment.

The mission found that these violations "may constitute war crimes related to violence against individuals and outrages upon personal dignity."

Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the mission, emphasized the urgency of the situation: "The gravity of these findings underscores the urgent need for immediate action to protect civilians. Given the failure of the warring parties to spare civilians, it is imperative that an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians be deployed without delay."

Othman also urged all parties to adhere to their international legal obligations and immediately cease all attacks on civilians, emphasizing that the protection of the civilian population is "paramount."

The mission found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the RSF and its allied militias have committed additional war crimes, including rape, sexual slavery, pillage, and forced displacement of civilians. The report also suggests that these groups have recruited children under the age of 15 for combat.

Moreover, there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that the actions of the RSF and its allies include numerous crimes against humanity, such as murder, torture, enslavement, rape, sexual slavery, severe sexual violence, persecution based on ethnicity and gender, and forcible displacement.

- Recommendations

The mission's report recommends expanding the existing arms embargo in Darfur, as outlined in Security Council Resolution 1556 and subsequent resolutions, to cover all of Sudan. This measure aims to curb the flow of weapons, ammunition, and other support to the warring parties and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

It also calls for Sudanese authorities to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to surrender all indicted individuals, including former President Omar al-Bashir.

Additionally, the report advocates for the establishment of a separate international judicial mechanism to work alongside and complement the ICC.

"These findings should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to take decisive action to support survivors, their families, and affected communities, and to hold perpetrators accountable," said expert member Mona Rishmawi. "A comprehensive approach to transitional justice is vital for addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring accountability."

The report, commissioned by the Human Rights Council when it established the mission in October 2023, is based on investigations conducted from January to August 2024. This includes visits to Chad, Kenya, and Uganda, direct testimony from 182 survivors, family members, and witnesses, and extensive consultations with experts and civil society.