A UN report details widespread arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment by the SAF and RSF in Sudan since April 2023, affecting tens of thousands. The findings highlight severe human rights violations, including ethnic discrimination and use of minors as guards. The report calls for urgent reforms and international community engagement to address these abuses.
A UN report released recently reveals a disturbing pattern of arbitrary detention, torture, and mistreatment by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The report underscores that since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, tens of thousands are detained without charge, enduring poor living conditions that violate international standards. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasized that such violations are unacceptable, stating that no individual should be deprived of liberty without due process or subjected to torture.
Accounts from former detainees detail severe torture, frequent physical beatings, and deplorable conditions including overcrowding and limited access to food and sanitation. Many detainees have reportedly died due to inadequate medical care in SAF and RSF facilities. Alarmingly, children as young as 14 are reported to be used as guards, while younger children face detention alongside adults. Additionally, incidents of sexual violence against women in detention have been documented.
The report identifies ethnic discrimination in detention practices, as detainees from Darfur and Kordofan are disproportionately targeted based on their ethnicity and affiliations. Individuals from African tribes are more likely to endure torture in RSF facilities, highlighting the systemic nature of these abuses. Concerns about enforced disappearances are raised as families remain uninformed of their jailed relatives’ conditions.
The report indicates that these troubling practices are not confined to Khartoum State, with similar violations reported in the Darfur region and Al Jazirah State. As the SAF reclaims territory, credible reports have emerged about detainees being transferred to secret locations, intensifying fears about their safety and treatment. Türk conveyed that these practices undermine human rights and rule of law, making immediate cessation and improvement of detention conditions urgent.
The document also highlights a concerning issue of entrenched impunity among the combatants, as previous assertions of accountability have remained largely unaddressed. As hostilities extend, the need for international engagement to end these violations becomes increasingly critical. Authorities have largely dismissed serious allegations of systematic abuses, claiming these incidents are isolated and not reflective of broader practices.
The recent UN report reveals alarming human rights violations occurring within Sudan due to the ongoing conflict. Arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane conditions have become widespread, implicating both SAF and RSF. Ethnic discrimination and the use of children in detention further exacerbate the situation, while enforced disappearances heighten concerns. Immediate action and international intervention are crucial to curtail these violations and ensure accountability.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
