Hundreds of civilians killed in ethnic attacks in West Darfur, Sudan
Volker Türk, told Human Rights Council in Geneva that attacks had occurred in at least eight locations
GENEVA, Switzerland – The head of the U. N’s human rights panel said Tuesday that hundreds of civilians have been killed in ethnically motivated attacks in Sudan’s West Darfur region.
The attacks, perpetrated by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, were primarily directed against the non-Arab Masalit people.
The RSF has denied the allegations, but the U.N. has said it has credible evidence of the attacks.
Volker Türk, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that attacks had occurred in at least eight locations.
He said the latest attack took place in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur and Sudan’s westernmost city.
He said the RSF controlled all but two localities in West Darfur.
Türk also pointed to the epidemic of conflict-related sexual violence.
He said his office has received credible reports of 45 incidents involving at least 95 victims, including 75 women, one man, and 19 children.
“Such developments echo a horrific past that must not be repeated,” he said.
The violence has displaced tens of thousands of people and raised fears of a return of the Darfur conflict, which killed an estimated 300,000 people and displaced 2 million between 2003 and 2008.
The United Nations has called for an immediate end to the violence and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
