Sudan: Warring parties have committed violations amounting to war crimes, says UN Fact-Finding Mission
A United Nations (UN) Fact-Finding Mission has reported that the parties of the war in Sudan have committed a horrific array of human rights violations and international crimes, many of which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In its first report, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan found that the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and their allied forces are responsible for widespread patterns of violations, including indiscriminate and direct attacks through airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks, and vital water and electricity supplies.
The report added that the warring parties targeted civilians through rape and other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as torture and ill-treatment. The Mission particularly focused on crimes committed by the RSF, which the recognized Sudanese government claims are supported by the UAE. The UN Mission reported that the RSF committed violations that could amount to war crimes, including violence to life and person, and committing outrages upon personal dignity.
The report is based on investigations conducted between January and August 2024, following the Human Rights Council's resolution, which established the Fact-Finding Mission in October 2023.
Over the past years, Alkarama has followed several cases of violations and repression within the context of its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Sudan. It has filed several complaints with the special procedures concerning victims of arbitrary detention, leading to their release.
However, the fate of Sudanese politician Mohamed Ali Abdullah Al-Jazouli, who was abducted by the RSF, remains unknown. Al-Jazouli was forced by his captors to make filmed confessions under duress, condemning himself. In response, Alkarama issued an urgent appeal to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED).