UN official: 50 cases of sexual violence documented since the outbreak of the Sudan War

Moatinoon
A spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Liz Thrussell, said that, as of November 2, the Sudan had received credible reports of more than 50 incidents of sexual violence linked to hostilities, affecting at least 105 victims - 86 women, one man and 18 children. The 23 included a rape incident, a gang rape 26 and three incidents of attempted rape.

In todays statement, the United Nations official was alarmed by reports that women and girls had been abducted and detained in inhuman and degrading slave-like conditions in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur, where they were allegedly forcibly married and held for ransom.

It noted reliable information from survivors, witnesses and other sources that more than 20 women and girls had been taken, but that the number might be higher. According to our documents, at least 105 people have experienced sexual violence since hostilities began on April 15, 2023.

"At least 70 per cent of confirmed recorded incidents of sexual violence - 37 incidents in total - are attributed to men in RSF uniforms, eight to armed RSF men, two to men in unknown clothes and one to SAF. The remaining cases concerned men who have not yet been identified. "

The UN official reiterated High Commissioner Volker Türks calls for senior officials of both SAF and RSF -- as well as their armed groups -- to unequivocally condemn these despicable acts and to urgently issue clear instructions to their subordinates demanding zero tolerance for sexual violence. She called on the parties concerned to ensure the immediate release of abducted women and girls, to provide them with the necessary support, including medical, psychological and social care, and to fully and promptly investigate all alleged cases, holding those responsible accountable and bringing them to justice.