Commissioner for Human Rights: Sudan is immersed in an “indescribable abyss” and the spirit of its people has not been broken

The High Commissioner held a press conference in Nairobi today, Sunday, after a five-day visit to Port Sudan and the Northern State, highlighting the repercussions of the war, which he said affected every inch of the country and every one of its members.

The spirit of struggle for peace, justice and freedom has not been broken

Speaking about his recent visit to Sudan in November 2022, Türk noted that he was inspired by the vibrant Sudanese civil society, especially the youth and women who led the 2018 revolution. Despite nearly three years of devastating war, Türk stressed that the struggle for peace, justice and freedom continues. And he said: “For those who believe that the spirit of the struggle for peace, justice and freedom has been broken… this spirit has not been broken.”

During his visit, Turk witnessed indescribable trauma and remarkable resilience. He highlighted the critical role played by young people as first responders, organizing and delivering aid despite bureaucratic hurdles and risks of arrest and violence.

A civil society leader told him: “We do not have the power to stop the war, but we will do what we can to preserve civilian lives.” Another young volunteer emphasized the high price the younger generation is paying as a result of the conflict: “Young people are the ones paying the price of war.”

Turk also pointed to repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the Merowe Dam, which supplied 70% of Sudan’s electricity, and which was subjected to repeated drone strikes launched by the Rapid Support Forces.

He warned that these attacks disrupt hospitals, irrigation and access to clean water, facilitating the spread of disease and suffering. These attacks may amount to war crimes. However, Turk also found challenge and determination here. An engineer at the dam told him: “They have not stopped the attacks and we will not stop our efforts to maintain electricity in Sudan.”

The plight of the displaced people of El Fasher

The High Commissioner devoted a large part of his speech to the plight of civilians, especially those displaced from El Fasher who are taking refuge in the northern state. He described meeting children whose souls the violence left deep scars on, including a four-year-old who lost his hearing due to the bombing, and a three-year-old who “doesn’t smile.”

He shared the testimonies of war survivors like Hawa, a graduate student who lost her son in the bombing, and whose husband was kidnapped, tortured and held for ransom by the Rapid Support Forces.

Women’s and girls’ bodies as weapons

The High Commissioner also shared the account of 20-year-old Aisha, who described being kidnapped and raped while fleeing El Fasher after shooting her brother and beating her mother. Turk stated that “The bodies of women and girls have been used as weapons.”Stressing that sexual violence is used as a weapon of war and constitutes a war crime. His office has documented patterns of widespread and systematic conflict-related sexual violence in Darfur and along escape routes.

Türk also reported extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and the deliberate use of siege tactics, including blocking food supplies, leading to what he described as a “man-made famine.” “An episode of cruelty is unfolding before our eyes,” he warned, calling on all those with influence – including regional actors and arms suppliers – to act immediately to end the war.

Concerned about the repetition of the El Fasher tragedy

Regarding the future, Turk expressed grave concern that the atrocities committed in El Fasher could be repeated in the Kordofan region, especially around Kadugli and Dilling, where famine conditions already prevail. He stressed that previous warnings had been ignored in Darfur, and issued a “stark warning” that the same mistakes should not be repeated.

He also condemned the proliferation of advanced weapons, especially drones, noting that “It is shameful that huge sums of money have been spent on purchasing increasingly sophisticated weapons – money that should have been used to alleviate the suffering of the population.”

He added, wondering: “No rational person can believe that continued fighting is the solution. I keep wondering: What are those who wage this war seeking?”

Militarizing society and recruiting children

Türk also expressed concern about the increasing militarization of society, including the arming of civilians and the recruitment of children, as well as the shrinking civic space. Journalists, lawyers and civil society actors face arrest, smear campaigns, disappearances and violence, while restrictions on humanitarian access continue to claim lives.

In conclusion, Türk called for immediate action to protect civilians, ensure safe passage, ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid, release arbitrarily detained civilians, and reveal the fate of missing persons.

He repeated his appeal that he made three years ago, when he said: “Three years ago, when I last visited Sudan, I made a plea that I find myself repeating today: I urge all concerned to put aside entrenched positions, power games and personal interests, and focus on the common interests of the Sudanese people.”