Sudanese civilians, victims, and refugees, along with international human rights defenders, submitted a petition to the British government demanding immediate action to prosecute the Rapid Support Forces militia and its international backers for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, based on the principle of universal jurisdiction practiced in the United Kingdom.
The petition was signed by 108 Sudanese and international individuals and organizations and was handed over on Tuesday to the British government, the Office of the Attorney General, the War Crimes Unit of the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), the British Crown Prosecution Service, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the British Prime Minister’s Office, as well as the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
The letter expressed an “urgent and unwavering determination” to support a comprehensive legal complaint, which included a 142-page evidence file submitted on May 5, 2025, to the British War Crimes Unit. According to the letter, the file contains “strong and detailed evidence of organized massacres, targeted attacks against civilians, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, in addition to acts amounting to genocide,” noting an official recognition by the U.S. government classifying the actions of the Rapid Support Forces as constituting genocide, and confirming evidence indicating international complicity in covering up or facilitating these atrocities.
In a related context, the British government is facing sharp criticism both domestically and internationally for what has been described as “laxity and negligence” in dealing with the horrific crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces, especially regarding the international parties involved in supporting these forces, primarily the United Arab Emirates. The letter also referenced ongoing British government attempts to pressure British media to silence voices discussing the UAE’s involvement in arming and funding the Rapid Support Forces, despite the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since the conflict erupted in April 2023.
Observers considered the British silence—and even active efforts to undermine journalistic coverage exposing UAE support—as a form of direct complicity, contradicting the UK’s ethical and legal obligations under international law. They urged the British government to uphold its laws, break its silence, and hold accountable all those who contributed to enabling the killing machine and violations in Sudan, regardless of who they are.
The signatories of the letter, delivered on Tuesday, June 3, called on British authorities to handle the complaint against the Rapid Support Forces and their supporters under the principle of command responsibility “with the utmost seriousness,” urging that the evidence not remain “trapped in bureaucratic files” but be immediately forwarded to the International Criminal Court and subjected to a full international investigation. They also demanded close cooperation with international justice mechanisms to ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.
The letter held the leadership of the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemeti,” and their international allies directly and indirectly responsible for these violations, relying on the principle of “command responsibility” established in international law.
The signatories reminded the British government of its legal and moral responsibilities under international law, citing decades of impunity in Darfur and Sudan, and noting that the ongoing war has reproduced the worst chapters of crimes witnessed in the region. The letter added: “The Sudanese people deserve justice—not as a slogan, but as a real process of accountability, redress, and prevention of recurrence.”
The petition demanded the UK government to initiate criminal investigations under its universal jurisdiction, share evidence with the International Criminal Court, publicly declare support for international justice pathways, and ensure transparency in communication with the Sudanese people regarding the case developments.
The letter concluded with a stark warning: “Silence or hesitation means allowing the machine of atrocities to continue unchecked. The Sudanese people will not remain silent, will not relent in demanding justice, and will not forget those they have lost.”
