UN Report Unveils Human Rights Abuses in Sudanese Detention Facilities

The UN report outlines widespread abuses in detention facilities in Khartoum State, detailing arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane conditions affecting thousands, including women and children. Testimonies reveal severe mistreatment and discrimination based on ethnicity. The report urges immediate action from involved parties and the international community to end these violations and improve detention standards.

A recent report from the United Nations reveals alarming trends of arbitrary detentions and abuse occurring within detention facilities in Khartoum State amid ongoing conflict. It emphasizes that tens of thousands, including women and children, are being held under deplorable conditions without charge since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023. Key figures, such as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, have condemned these practices as violations of international human rights norms.

The report includes testimonies from 34 interviews with former detainees, witnesses, and family members detailing the severe treatment they experienced and observed. Various accounts describe extreme overcrowding conditions, insufficient sanitation, and significant deprivations of food and water. Additionally, detainees are reported to have died due to lack of medical care in both Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) detention facilities.

Notably, the RSF has been documented using minors as guards, contributing to further exploitation of vulnerable populations. Detainees have reported instances of sexual violence, particularly against women in RSF-controlled facilities. Further, the report highlights ethnic discrimination, stating that individuals from certain regions, particularly Darfur and Kordofan, face targeted abuses based on their ethnic backgrounds and perceived political affiliations.

Concerns regarding enforced disappearances are raised as families are often left in ignorance about the fate of their detained relatives. A specific case illustrates this, where a family was repeatedly told, “Do not ask about him” regarding their detained loved one, only to later discover that he had died in custody. The document asserts that these practices extend beyond Khartoum State, reflecting a broader trend of rights abuses throughout Sudan.

As the SAF regains territory, there have been reports of RSF transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, exacerbating the potential for further abuses. The report calls for an immediate halt to these inhumane practices and urges the international community to intervene to uphold human rights standards and ensure accountability. Moreover, it invites concerned parties to facilitate access to justice for the victims of these human rights violations. Full access to the report can be obtained through the provided link.

The UN report on detention practices in Khartoum State underscores a grave humanitarian crisis characterized by arbitrary detentions, torture, and significant human rights violations. Its findings highlight the urgent need for international intervention to restore justice and address systemic abuses. The testimonies received reflect a dire situation requiring immediate cessation of such practices while advocating for the fundamental rights of detainees to be recognized and protected.

Original Source: reliefweb.int