A boy who fled El Fasher with his family in a camp for displaced persons (archive). Sudan: Risk of large-scale crime in El Fasher ‘increasing every day’ Peace and Security
Armed forces of the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) are committing serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, in the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur, El Fasher. The UN Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) warns about this.
According to the Department, there are reports of executions of civilians trying to leave the city. There are indications that killings are being carried out along ethnic lines, and that former combatants who have laid down their arms are being executed. This is prohibited by international humanitarian law, the UN reminds.
Urgent measures
“The risk of further large-scale ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is growing with every day,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
He called for “urgent and concrete measures” to protect civilians and ensure safe passage for those trying to flee the fighting zone actions.
According to OHCHR, hundreds of people, including a journalist, were detained while trying to escape. Civilian deaths, including local volunteers, were also reported as a result of artillery attacks last week.
Escalation of violence
Monday General UN Secretary Antonio Guterres, who is in Southeast Asia, called what is happening in Darfur a “terrible escalation” of the conflict and stressed that the time has come to “directly point out the countries interfering in the war and supplying weapons.” parties to the conflict. He again called for an immediate ceasefire.
According to the UN chief, the problem is not only clashes between the army and the RRF, but also increasingly obvious external interference, undermining the prospects for a ceasefire and political settlement.
Civilians under threat
UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan Denise Brown said civilians fleeing El Fasher are often victims of kidnappings for ransom.
Humanitarian organizations are helping adults and children who are “dehydrated, exhausted, some injured, and all without exception– in a state of shock.”
According to OHCHR reports, five men were executed by RRF fighters for attempting to deliver food supplies to the besieged city, which has been under blockade for 18 months. Some victims were reportedly accused of supporting the Sudanese military.
Brown stressed that only 27 percent of the required funds had been received for humanitarian efforts. This prevents the UN from fully helping people who have “survived violence, rape and famine.” nearly 130 aid workers, including volunteers, were killed in El Fasher.
“These people are the backbone of the humanitarian response in the most difficult areas, and they are also protected by international humanitarian law rights,” Brown emphasized.
In turn, Volker Türk again emphasized that RRF commanders are obliged, in accordance with international law, to protect civilians and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid help.