The UN human rights chief warns of an increase in violence in Sudan a year after the start of fighting

April 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has warned this Monday that as the first year has passed since the outbreak of the armed conflict in Sudan, the escalation of violence is increasing while the opposing parties continue to arm the civilian population to to join the fighting.

“The Sudanese people have suffered untold suffering during the conflict, characterized by indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, ethnically motivated attacks and a high incidence of sexual violence,” he warned.

Turk has pointed out that the population has already suffered “immensely” and that the latest information about possible new attacks poses an “alarming risk” of “further violations and abuses” being committed against civilians who also have to face a humanitarian crisis. which continues to get worse.

“To give a chance to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, it is necessary to reduce and not increase the number of armed actors,” said Turk, after the latest information on the entry of three groups into the Sudanese Armed Forces, which, like The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are arming the civilian population.

Likewise, Turk has also warned that the detention of “prominent civilian figures” and political leaders is a “counterproductive” practice that “must be abandoned.” In that sense, he has demanded the release of the former prime minister, Abdullah Hamdok, since the charges “do not seem to be substantiated.”

“The Sudanese authorities must immediately revoke the arrest warrants for Hamdok and other civilian leaders,” as well as “prioritize confidence-building measures to achieve a ceasefire (…) followed by a comprehensive resolution of the conflict and reestablish a civil government,” he defended.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The United Nations has reported that since the beginning of the fighting, a year ago, there have been “thousands” of civilians who have died, been injured, arbitrarily detained, or forcibly disappeared.

“Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and other essential civil infrastructure have been destroyed, plunging the country into a serious humanitarian crisis and creating the largest displacement crisis in the world,” Turk lamented.

“More than eight million people have been displaced from their homes, more than two million of them to neighboring countries. Nearly 18 million people face severe food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and more than 70 percent of The hospitals no longer function,” he denounced.

For this reason, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the parties to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers so that they can carry out their work, act to prevent further suffering for the civilian population and investigate cases in which rights are violated. international.

Finally, Turk has called on the parties to cooperate with the expert on the situation of Human Rights in Sudan appointed by the United Nations, Radhouane Nouicer, as well as with the fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council.