UN Human Rights Chief Warns of Severe Atrocities in Darfur, Calls for Global Action

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned on Friday that the atrocities taking place in El Fasher, Sudan, constitute "serious crimes" that could have been anticipated and prevented.

Türk made these remarks 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 fell into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces two weeks ago.

He criticized the international community for its inadequate response to the situation, stating, "There is much pretense and little action. We must oppose these atrocities that demonstrate the blatant use of brutality to subjugate and control an entire population."

The High Commissioner also warned of a significant escalation of violence in the Kordofan region, where bombings and sieges continue to force thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Türk urged for concrete actions against individuals and businesses that "fuel and profit from" the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has persisted for approximately two and a half years.

As part of international efforts, UN Human Rights Council member states are reviewing a draft resolution calling for a UN investigation mission to conduct an "urgent inquiry" into the alleged violations committed recently by the Rapid Support Forces and their allies in El Fasher, aiming to identify those responsible.

Additionally, the president of the International Organization for Migration revealed concerning estimates indicating that thousands are missing in El Fasher, with nearly 50,000 people displaced from the Kordofan region in the past two months.

The city is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, being completely sealed off, preventing humanitarian aid teams from accessing it. Survivors who have fled to surrounding towns, such as Tawila, recount horrific stories of murder, torture, and war crimes.