Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights documents five types of violations and calls for an effective and independent investigation

The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jeremy Laurence, expressed concern about the continued impact of the ongoing fighting on civilians in Sudan.

In a statement released on Friday, he stated that at least eight civilians were killed this week, including three members of the same family, during an attack on the Muawilah market in the capital, Khartoum, on June 8th. He added that a child was killed after a shell hit his familys house in the Shajara area in South Khartoum following an airstrike on the same day.

Laurence revealed that the commission has received reports of four other civilian deaths in Khartoum on June 5th and June 4th. It was also reported that at least three civilians, all from the same family, including a pregnant woman, were killed on the same day when airstrikes hit near a sports complex in South Khartoum, a refugee center, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 refugees.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about reports of conflict-related sexual violence. He stated that since the start of the fighting, his office has received credible reports of 12 incidents of sexual violence linked to the conflict, against at least 37 women, although the number may be higher. In at least three cases, the victims were young girls, and in one instance, it was reported that 18 to 20 women were raped.

The statement also addressed the increasing reports of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions. It highlighted the growing danger faced by journalists amidst the rise of hate speech and misinformation online. The office of the High Commissioner was mentioned in a list circulating on social media accusing some journalists of being supporters of the Rapid Support Forces. We have seen comments on Facebook calling for the killing of journalists on the list, Laurence stated.

The High Commissioner reiterated his call for the parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law. He also called for effective and independent investigations into all violations.

الامم المتحدة: حالات قتل واغتصاب واختفاء قسري واعتقال تعسفي وتهديد بقتل صحفيين