GENEVA (25 April 2025) – UN Human Rights Chief Volker
Türk today expressed grave concern over the worsening human
rights situation in and around El Fasher in North Darfur, in
Sudan. Civilian casualties, attacks on humanitarian
personnel, and cases of sexual violence are increasing, as
the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensify their offensive on
the city and nearby camps for internally displaced people
(IDPs).
At least 129 civilians were killed between 20
and 24 April in El Fasher city, Um Kedada district and the
Abu Shouk IDP camp.
In total, the UN Human Rights
Office has confirmed that at least 481 civilians have been
killed in North Darfur since 10 April, although the actual
number is likely much higher. This figure includes at least
210 civilians, including nine medical professionals, who
were killed in Zamzam IDP camp between 11 and 13
April.
In addition, dozens of people were reported to
have died due to lack of food, water and medical care in RSF
detention facilities or while walking for days in harsh
conditions in an attempt to flee violence.
The recent
attacks in North Darfur have also displaced hundreds of
thousands of civilians, many of whom had already been
displaced during the conflict. Most of them are currently in
Tawila, Dar es Salam and other localities, where they face
dire conditions amid continued restrictions on access to
lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
In an alarming
development, ethnically motivated attacks targeting specific
communities are occurring once more in Darfur – following a
similar pattern of violations and abuses seen elsewhere in
the region when the RSF and allied militia gained control of
areas held by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), such as El
Geneina and other locations in West Darfur in
2023.
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“The rising number of civilian casualties and
the widespread reports of sexual violence are horrifying,”
said the High Commissioner, adding his grave concern at
continued attacks on humanitarian workers and medical
personnel that go against international law and exacerbate
the already limited access to healthcare.
“We have
heard accounts of people being abducted from Zamzam IDP camp
and of women, girls and boys being raped or gang raped there
or as they tried to escape the attacks,” said Türk,
noting that the fate of so many others trapped inside the
camp is unknown.
“The systems to assist victims in
many areas are on the verge of collapse, medical workers are
themselves under threat and even water sources have been
deliberately attacked. The suffering of the Sudanese people
is hard to imagine, harder to comprehend and simply
impossible to accept,” he stressed.
Just over two
years ago, clashes between the RSF and the SAF erupted into
a conflict that has had dramatic human rights, protection
and humanitarian consequences for the civilian population.
The situation, especially in North Darfur, continues to
deteriorate with the war now in its third
year.
“Civilians must be allowed safely to leave El
Fasher and surrounding areas and must be protected wherever
they go. I call on both parties, notably their leaders,
urgently to halt all human rights violations and abuses,
respect international humanitarian and human rights law, and
put an end to this senseless war,” Türk
added.
