Stop the indiscriminate shelling and widespread extrajudicial killings in Sudan
Stop the indiscriminate shelling and widespread extrajudicial killings
Sudan Human Rights Network (SHRN) condemns the indiscriminate shelling of populated areas by the Rapid Support Forces and the extrajudicial killings committed by the militias affiliated with the Sudanese Army in the ongoing conflict between the Army forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.
Some reports and videos refer to indiscriminate bombardments by the Rapid Support Forces of residential areas in Omdurman and El Fasher, which has killed hundreds of civilians, as well as field executions, targeting civilians through slaughtering, disembowelment, and direct shootings committed by members of the army and battalions fighting with it.
Carrying out executions and killings of civilians solely on suspicion of cooperation with enemies, according to each party, without fair trials constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights conventions. Moreover, the killing of war prisoners represents a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit extrajudicial killings, inhumane treatment, and assaults on personal dignity. These actions also contravene Sudan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to life, fair trials, and non-discrimination among citizens based on race, gender, or identity.
SHRN calls on the international community, the United Nations Security Council, the African Union, and the International Criminal Court to immediately investigate these crimes and hold those responsible fully accountable. It also urges all parties to the conflict to adhere to international law, respect human rights, and put an end to the ongoing violations that innocent civilians are paying the price for.
SHRN urges the Sudanese government and army to take urgent measures to halt these practices, ensure that perpetrators of extrajudicial killings are brought to justice, and take concrete steps to protect civilians in areas where the conflicting parties are present.