UN High Commissioner for Human Rights outraged after the killing of 57 civilians

Geneva – Sudanhorizon
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed, on Wednesday, his outrage over the large-scale attack launched by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on the besieged city of El Fasher and the adjacent Abu Shouk camp for displaced persons, which resulted in the killing of dozens of civilians.
A statement from the High Commissioner’s Office said that preliminary information obtained by the UN Human Rights Office indicated that at least 57 civilians were killed in the 11 August attack on El Fasher, including 40 displaced persons in Abu Shouk Camp, in North Darfur State, Sudan.
The statement noted that the Office is following up on “allegations of executions of displaced persons in the camp during the attack” committed by the RSF militia. Türk said:
“We are once again witnessing, with utmost concern, unbelievable atrocities being committed against civilians in El Fasher, who have suffered for over a year under siege, repeated attacks, and dire humanitarian conditions. These repeated attacks on civilians, which raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law, are utterly unacceptable and must stop.”
The High Commissioner’s statement explained that Monday’s attacks were the latest in a series of assaults carried out by the rebel RSF on camps for displaced persons in and around El Fasher. Between January and June, Abu Shouk Camp was attacked at least 16 times by the RSF, resulting in the killing of at least 212 internally displaced persons and the injury of 111 others.
Türk said:
“Once again, I sound the alarm about the grave risk of ethnically motivated persecution in the context of the RSF’s attempt to take control of El Fasher and Abu Shouk Camp.”
The statement also noted that UN Human Rights Office staff had recently travelled to eastern Chad, where they conducted interviews with more than 150 survivors of RSF attacks on Zamzam Camp in April. Their testimonies confirmed previously documented serious human rights violations and abuses committed against civilians during the deadly assault on Zamzam Camp and their flight to Tawila, including killings, widespread mass rape, enforced disappearances, and torture. They also stated that there are no safe exit routes from El Fasher.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated his call on all parties to take urgent measures to protect civilians, including by providing safe passage out of conflict-affected areas. He also urged them to immediately agree to humanitarian pauses in besieged areas so that aid can reach those in need.
Türk added:
“I urge other States to use all their influence to put an end to these violations.”
He also called for those responsible to be held accountable.

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