UN Human Rights Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Escalating Violence in Al-Jazira State
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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern about the escalating violence and hostilities in Sudans Al-Jazira State, as well as increasing calls for civilian mobilization and reports of hate speech circulating on social media.
Türk called for investigations into all violations and for those responsible to be brought to justice to break the vicious cycle of violence.
Meanwhile, the UNs Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been responsible for widespread sexual violence, including mass rape and the abduction and detention of victims under conditions amounting to sexual slavery, in areas they control.
Mohamed Chande Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, said, "We are shocked by the staggering scale of sexual violence we are documenting in Sudan. The situation of the most vulnerable civilians, particularly women and girls of all ages, is of utmost concern and requires urgent attention."
Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, another mission member, stated, "Women, girls, boys, and men in Sudan increasingly subjected to sexual and gender-based violence need protection. Without accountability, the cycle of hatred and violence will persist. We must end impunity and hold perpetrators accountable."
The mission’s third member, Mona Rishmawi, emphasized, "The responsibility and shame for these heinous acts lie solely with the perpetrators. If left unchecked, they will continue tearing Sudan apart, spreading terror and destruction. Extending the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court to all of Sudan and establishing an independent judicial mechanism to complement the ICC’s work is crucial."
Rishmawi added, "These conditions also highlight the urgent need for victims to receive remedial support, including medical and legal assistance, which is almost entirely absent in Sudan. A dedicated office for victim support and reparations should be established immediately to aid them."
The Human Rights Council established the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan in October 2023 to investigate human rights violations and abuses, breaches of international humanitarian law, crimes against refugees, and other related crimes in the context of the ongoing armed conflict that began in April last year.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell also voiced her alarm over the escalating violence against children and families in Sudan’s Al-Jazira State, noting reports of mass killings, widespread sexual violence against women and girls, and destruction of homes and livelihoods.
In a statement yesterday, Russell said, "We have received horrific reports of multiple girls, some as young as 13, subjected to rape and sexual violence, along with the detention of children. Over 9,000 households, comprising more than 45,000 individuals, were forced to flee their homes in Tamboul and surrounding villages from October 20 to 27, 2024."
Russell added, "This violence is part of a massive, man-made humanitarian catastrophe that has so far killed and injured thousands of children, displaced over 11 million people, and left millions facing severe risks. Sudan is now experiencing the largest displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world—an ongoing crisis increasingly impacting the wider region."
