Amnesty International documented what it says are extensive war crimes being carried out by the Sudanese military (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The report, ‘Death Came To Our Home’: War Crimes and Civilian Suffering In Sudan, documents mass civilian casualties in attacks by the two warring parties.The report further details sexual violence against women and girls, targeted attacks on civilian objects such as hospitals and churches and extensive looting.
Some of the violations documented, such as attacks targeting civilians, attacks on humanitarian infrastructure, rape and other sexual violence, and pillage amount to war crimes. The report focuses primarily on Khartoum and West Darfur.
“People are being killed inside their homes, or while desperately searching for food, water and medicine. They are being caught in crossfire while fleeing, and shot deliberately in targeted attacks. Scores of women and girls, some as young as 12, have been raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence by members of the warring sides. Nowhere is safe,” she added.
“The RSF and SAF, as well as their affiliated armed groups, must end their targeting of civilians, and guarantee safe passage for those seeking safety. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure justice and reparations for victims and survivors,” it said.
According to the rights group, considering the scale of fighting and organization of both sides, the situation qualifies as a non-international armed conflict under the Geneva Conventions, stressing that certain serious violations of these rules constitute war crimes, for which individual soldiers and commanders can be held criminally responsible.
People who fled El Geneina told the London-based rights group that the town had been attacked by heavily armed Arab militias, supported by RSF fighters.
On 28 May, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in Misterei, a town south-west of El Geneina, when clashes broke out between RSF and allied militias, and Masalit armed groups. Residents also said they buried 58 civilians killed that day.
“The international community should significantly increase humanitarian support for Sudan, and neighbouring countries must ensure their borders are open to civilians seeking safety,” stressed Callamard.
She added, “The international community must also immediately extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure its enforcement. Countries with significant leverage over the warring parties must use their influence to end the violations.
The London-based human rights organization further urged the UN Human Rights Council to heed to calls from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and establish an independent investigative and accountability mechanism to monitor, collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations in Sudan.
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