Volker Türk: The atrocities unfolding in El Fasher are a stain on the record of the international community

In his speech during the special session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that the atrocities unfolding in El Fasher “It was foreseeable and could have been prevented – but it was not,” Adding that it constitutes “The most serious crimes.”

He said that his office had issued repeated warnings about the situation in the North Darfur capital over the past year, “So none of us should be surprised by reports that since the RSF took control of El Fasher, there have been mass killings of civilians; targeted tribal executions; sexual violence including mass rape; kidnappings for ransom; widespread arbitrary arrests; attacks on health facilities, medical staff and humanitarian workers; and other horrific atrocities.”

The High Commissioner said that the pattern of crimes has been repeatedly documented in the conflict in Sudan. He added: “while “The bloodstains on the ground in El Fasher were photographed from space. The stigma recorded in the history of the international community remains less clear, but no less condemning.”

““Justice will prevail.”

Mr. Turk said that the international community has a clear duty to ensure that civilians in El Fasher receive humanitarian assistance and protection, and must address these atrocities – which represent… “A stark display of the cruelty used to subjugate and control an entire people.”

He also stressed the need for concerted efforts to hold accountable all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the context of the conflict in Sudan. He pointed out that his office is collecting evidence of violations, and that the International Criminal Court is closely monitoring the situation, and said: “All those involved in this conflict should know: We are watching you, and justice will prevail.”

Mr. Turk urged the international community to take action against individuals and companies that are fueling and profiting from the war, and called on the Security Council to urgently refer the situation in Sudan as a whole to the International Criminal Court.

The High Commissioner stressed that Sudan is based on the diversity of its people, but the war is tearing apart its social fabric, and the consequences of this will extend for generations. He called on all parties to the conflict to put their country and people first, engage in serious peace negotiations, humanitarian truces, and transition to comprehensive civilian rule. He urged them to fulfill their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

“crime scene”

For her part, Mona Rishmawi, a member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan, said that a large part of the city of El Fasher has now become a “crime scene,” adding that a comprehensive investigation is required to clarify the full picture. “But what we already know is devastating.”

added: “Survivors described bodies piled up in the streets and in trenches dug in and around the city, and their accounts are confirmed by documented digital evidence that reinforces the scale and seriousness of these crimes.”

She said that despite repeated warnings, “The worst scenario has now come true.” Adding that the crimes committed are not hidden, but… “Illustrated, circulated, and even glorified.”

Ms. Rishmawi added that the fact-finding mission is currently investigating similar atrocities in Kordofan, where civilians are trapped, aid is blocked, and famine is beginning to emerge. “Which threatens another outbreak of disaster.”

added: “The unfolding horrors are the direct result of decades of impunity. They can and must be stopped now. Those who support, finance and arm this brutal machine have the power and duty to stop it. Powerful states bear a special responsibility. Justice must extend to the individuals and entities behind these crimes.”

Ms. Rishmawi stressed that the Sudanese people have suffered indescribable suffering during this ongoing conflict, adding: “What they need now, and what international law requires, is an end to the bloodshed, immediate protection, and a reliable path to justice.”

A call to redouble efforts to silence the guns in Sudan

In turn, Adama Dieng, the African Union Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, said that the African Union called on the international community to redouble its efforts to silence the guns in Sudan through comprehensive dialogue and effective diplomatic engagement.

He called for an immediate halt to the flow of weapons and fighters into Sudan, which he said directly contributes to the systematic targeting of specific identity groups and exacerbates the already deteriorating situation in the country. He added that this session represents a turning point and a rallying call for human solidarity and common duty.

The Human Rights Council adopts a resolution on El Fasher

The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in and around El Fasher, in the context of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In the resolution adopted without a vote, the Council strongly condemned the escalation of violence and reported atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces and associated and collaborating forces in and around El Fasher, following their attack on the city, including widespread atrocities such as ethnically motivated killings, torture, summary executions, forced conscription, and arbitrary detention of civilians, as well as the widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war.

The resolution requested the independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan to urgently investigate, consistent with its mandate, the recent violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law allegedly committed in and around El Fasher.

The resolution also requested the fact-finding mission to identify all officials who have reasonable grounds to believe they are responsible for alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law in and around El Fasher, where possible, and to support efforts to ensure accountability of perpetrators of alleged violations and abuses.