Call to conscience on the situation of human rights in Sudan

The Human Rights Institute for Peace and Freedom (HRI), condemns the grave violation of Human Rights in Khartoum, Republic of Sudan, which has emerged during the beginning of June 2019.  These include the unlawful killing of civilians, rapes and gang rapes of protestors, Human Rights defenders and medical personnel.

The perpetrators of both Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes in Darfur, years prior to the events of June (which went unpunished) are the Sudanese government forces, including the “Rapid Support Forces” (RSF). A paramilitary group operated by the Sudanese government and commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The Human Rights Institute condemns these acts and demands the immediate and complete cessation of all types of violence against civilians. The prevention and punishment of sexual violence by effective measures conducted by the government of Sudan, African Union, the international institutions that advocate for the promotion, vigilance, and defense of Human Rights and as well for the international community, including the U.N Security Council, due to the graveness of the situation.

The HRI urges international pressure within the diverse existing diplomatic channels, to demand the Transitional Military Council (TMC) a government transition to a civilian administration and withdraw the RSF paramilitary units from conducting “law enforcement” operations which have led to severe violation of Human Rights.

As well, the internet and communication shutdown in Sudan is a violation of Human Rights which the HRI condemns and demands the immediate lift of such act. Information in such a grave crisis is vital for the security and health of Sudanese civilians.

Finally, as stated by Secretary General of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, “The UN and the AU… must not turn their backs on people in Darfur who rely on peacekeepers for protection. A decision to close UNAMID would recklessly and needlessly place tens of thousands of lives at risk by removing their only safeguard against the government’s scorched earth campaign”.

There are tens of thousands of civilians under the protection of the United Nations and the African Union peacekeepers in Darfur. By placing the security of these civilians under the mercy of the RSF, the humanitarian crisis most likely will persist and consequently aggravate.