UN condemns extrajudicial killings by Sudanese army in Khartoum
- The Sudanese army has been accused of extrajudicial killings of civilians in Khartoum, following their recapture of the city.
- Rights groups have documented instances of field executions, particularly targeting those suspected of collaboration with the Rapid Support Forces.
- The UN has called for accountability and condemned these actions as serious violations of human rights, highlighting the critical humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
In Sudan, particularly in its capital Khartoum, the United Nations has expressed deep concern regarding reports of extrajudicial killings carried out by the Sudanese army, especially after they regained control of the city last month. These reports emerged following the country’s ongoing civil war that escalated in April 2023, involving the military against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Rights groups, notably Emergency Lawyers, documented instances of the army executing civilians on suspicions of collaborating with the RSF. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned these actions as severe violations of international human rights law. He called for immediate accountability, emphasizing the necessity of investigations into the reported abuses, which have included videos portraying armed individuals executing civilians in public settings, often justifying their actions as punishment for RSF supporters. There has been an alarming rise in hate speech and violence in Lebanon as activists continue circulating lists of individuals accused of supporting the RSF, further exacerbating the social conflict. More than 20,000 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the war, and millions more have been displaced, pushing parts of the nation towards famine, underlining the intense humanitarian crisis being faced. The international community remains vigilant as calls for justice and humanitarian support continue amidst the intense violence and turmoil in Sudan, reflecting on the severe aftermath of a conflict that has destabilized the nation and affected countless lives.