Sudan Events – Follow-ups
Human Rights Watch stated that since September 2023, fighters from the Rapid Support Forces and their allied militias have committed mass rape and sexual slavery against dozens of women and girls in South Kordofan, Sudan. These crimes include sexual violence, killings, and abductions, constituting serious violations of international humanitarian law and potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
Testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses documented by Human Rights Watch described the attackers, wearing RSF uniforms or belonging to allied militias, committing their crimes with unprecedented brutality. In several cases, women and girls were raped in front of their families, sometimes after their family members were killed. One victim, Hania, an 18-year-old pregnant woman, was abducted from her home in the town of Fayou when she was three months pregnant. She was held in a military base and repeatedly raped for three months before escaping.
Human Rights Watch called on the international community to act urgently to protect civilians, support victims, and ensure justice for these horrific crimes. The organization emphasized the need to deploy a civilian protection mission in Sudan and provide resources to address sexual violence, including prevention, documentation, and comprehensive victim support.
Belkis Wille, the co-director of the Crisis and Conflict Division at Human Rights Watch, stated that victims described being subjected to mass rapes in front of their families or being held for sexual slavery by RSF fighters. She urged UN member states and the African Union to act immediately to assist victims, protect other women and girls, and ensure justice for these crimes.
These findings align with the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan’s report, which confirmed the widespread sexual violence by RSF forces, including instances of sexual slavery. Human Rights Watch recommended strengthening civilian protection through an international mission equipped with the necessary resources to address these crimes.
According to Human Rights Watch, sexual violence in conflict is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and can rise to war crimes or crimes against humanity when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians. With the increasing severity of these violations, there is an urgent need for decisive international action to ensure the protection of civilians and deliver justice for the victims in Sudan.
