Allegations of Inhumane Detention Conditions by Rapid Support Forces in Sudan
The Sudan Doctors Network has raised grave concerns regarding the treatment of detainees by the Rapid Support Forces in South Darfur amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The organization reports that over 19,000 individuals are being held in Daqrees and Kober prisons, as well as other facilities, under conditions described as "inhumane."
The detainee population reportedly includes a diverse group of individuals, such as civilians from various professions, politicians, journalists, and healthcare workers. The network's statement noted that many were arrested in Khartoum and Darfur, including 73 healthcare professionals. Additionally, numerous former members of regular armed forces are among those detained.
The organization emphasized that these detention operations are devoid of humanitarian and legal standards, leading to significant violations of detainees' rights. It reported that more than four individuals die each week due to inadequate healthcare, with diseases such as cholera spreading rapidly in the absence of medical attention.
The Sudan Doctors Network has called on international organizations to exert pressure on the leadership of the Rapid Support Forces to ensure the release of detainees, provide necessary medical care, and halt arbitrary arrests.
These allegations come during an ongoing conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which the United Nations has described as leading to "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world." This conflict has displaced approximately 12 million people. The "Quad" nations previously proposed a truce plan, but renewed clashes have further complicated the humanitarian situation.
