Türk Warns of Risk of Severe Violations in El Fasher

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned today of intensified fighting to control the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, cautioning against the increasing toll on civilians.

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In a statement on Monday, Türk said, "The battle for control of El Fasher has dramatically escalated in the past two weeks, and we have documented an increase in civilian deaths resulting from shelling and airstrikes by both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces."

Türk added, "Based on bitter past experiences, if El Fasher falls, there is a significant risk of severe violations and targeted attacks against specific ethnic groups, including summary executions and sexual violence, by the RSF and its allied militias."

He specifically raised concerns about the residents of the Abu Shouk displacement camp, which has been under continuous shelling by the RSF since May, as well as the Zamzam displacement camp. Türk stated, "People in these camps are at severe risk of retaliatory attacks based on their tribal identity, whether perceived or real, as being associated with communities aligned with armed movements supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces."

The High Commissioner referred to the findings of monitoring missions by the UN Human Rights Office in eastern Chad, which documented horrific patterns of ethnic abuses, particularly against the Masalit community, after the RSF took control of Geneina and Ardamata in West Darfur in June and November 2023.

Türk also expressed concern over the escalation of hostilities and the rising civilian casualties in other parts of the country, including Greater Khartoum and Sennar State.

He stated, "The fighting must stop immediately. The situation has become intolerable."

Türk urged both parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and the commitments accepted in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and engage genuinely in mediation efforts.

He called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, to take necessary and effective actions to protect civilians in Sudan, especially those at risk of targeted violence, and ensure that all parties respect international law.

Since May 2024, the RSF and its allied militias have besieged El Fasher in their conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied armed movements. The lack of safe exit routes from the city, combined with the high costs and payments required to leave, has trapped many civilians inside.

In one of the most intense recent battles on September 20 and 21, at least 20 civilians were killed by artillery shelling near the main market, with many shops destroyed. The actual number of civilian casualties is likely much higher, but communication outages have made it difficult to verify the figures.

In the past two weeks, in addition to the rising civilian death toll, the UN Human Rights Office has documented cases of summary executions and gender-based sexual violence, as well as reports of at least five women and several young men being abducted in El Fasher. Reports also indicate widespread arbitrary arrests in North and South Darfur by the RSF, which accuses civilians of providing information and coordinates on its positions to the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Türk reiterated the findings of the monitoring missions in eastern Chad, which recorded shocking patterns of ethnic abuse, particularly against the Masalit community, after the RSF took control of Geneina and Ardamata in West Darfur in June and November 2023.