UN Human Rights Chief Warns of Severe Atrocities in Darfur, Calls for International Action
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated on Friday that the atrocities occurring in the Sudanese city of El Fasher represent some of the worst crimes imaginable, which were both predictable and preventable.
Türk's remarks were made during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, focusing on the situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which recently fell under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
He criticized the international community for its inadequate response, stating, "There is much hypocrisy and little action. We must confront these atrocities, which are a display of open brutality aimed at oppressing and controlling an entire population."
The UN Commissioner also warned of a dangerous escalation of violence in the Kordofan region, where bombings and sieges continue to force thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
Türk called for concrete actions against individuals and companies that are fueling and profiting from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has lasted for approximately two and a half years.
As part of international efforts, member states of the Human Rights Council are considering a resolution that would request the UN investigation mission to conduct an "urgent inquiry" into the alleged violations by the Rapid Support Forces and their allies in El Fasher to identify those responsible.
Additionally, the head of the International Organization for Migration revealed alarming estimates indicating that thousands are missing in El Fasher, and nearly 50,000 people have fled the Kordofan region in the past two months.
The city is facing an overwhelming humanitarian crisis, being completely sealed off with humanitarian aid teams unable to reach it. Survivors who have fled to surrounding towns like Tawila report harrowing accounts of murder, torture, and war crimes.
