“Today, traumatized civilians are still stuck in El Fasher and cannot leave“, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement. statement released Friday.
“I fear that heinous atrocities such as summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence will continue. within the city. »
The statement comes amid growing reports from UN human rights watchdogs and other experts of widespread violence and war crimes following the fall of the town of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on October 23 this year, which has been battling former allies-turned-rivals – the military government in Khartoum – for control of Sudan for more than two years.
The violence continues even for those who managed to flee the city, as the exit routes have become scenes of “unimaginable cruelty,” Mr. Türk added.
No sign of de-escalation
The High Commissioner said that since the capture of El Fasher, civilian casualties, destruction and mass displacement have increased.
He further warned that developments on the ground show “clear preparations for an intensification of hostilities, with all that this implies for its long-suffering people.”
In a interview with UN News On Thursday, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, raised concerns over allegations of war crimes in El Fasher.
“We see massive violations of international human rights law, direct attacks against civilians, failure to respect international humanitarian law, which regulates the conduct of hostilities, and the fact that the attacks largely target civilians,” he said.
Independent UN experts also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation on Friday, highlighting “sadistic levels” of violence and sexual abuse.
“We are appalled by credible reports of summary executions of civilians in El Fasher by the RSF, which are prohibited by international law and constitute war crimes and may also constitute crimes against humanity,” they said. “They must stop immediately and independent and rapid investigations are essential. »
Ceasefire agreement reported
The RSF reportedly agreed on Thursday to a ceasefire proposed by the United States and Arab countries – but the national army has not signed and attacks continue, according to media reports, including explosions around government-held Khartoum.
Meanwhile, UN agencies continue to press for an end to hostilities.
“THE Security CouncilThe arms embargo is clear: we must stop providing continued military support to parties committing serious violations.“, said Mr. Türk.
He reiterated his call for an “immediate end to the violence in Darfur and Kordofan,” adding that “bold and urgent action is required from the international community.”
The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on the situation in El Fasher and its surroundings, Friday November 14.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
