The victims, including members of the ethnic Masalit community, are believed to have been killed by the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and allied militias last month. OHCHR, speakCite reliable information.
Locals were forced to dump the bodies in a mass grave outside the regional capital El-Geneina, refusing to properly bury the dead in one of the city’s cemeteries.
Mr Türk strongly condemned the killings and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Women and children were killed
The RSF and the Sudanese army have been fighting fiercely since mid-April. Thousands of people were killed and injured, and nearly three million people were displaced both at home and abroad.
At least 37 bodies were buried on June 20 in a mass grave about a meter deep in an open area called Al-Turab Al Ahmar, or Red Soil in English.
Another 50 bodies were buried there the next day, including 7 women and 7 children.
Those buried were killed by the RSF and its allied militias between June 13 and 21 in the districts of Al-Madaress and Al-Jamarek, located in El-Geneina, according to the announcement. reliable information collected by OHCHR.
Many were victims of violence following the murder of the Governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbaker, on June 14, shortly after his arrest by the RSF. Others died from untreated wounds.
No respect for the dead
The UN’s head of rights said he was “appalled by the callous and disrespectful treatment of the dead, along with their families and communities.”
“There must be a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the murders, and those responsible must be held accountable,” he said.
Mr. Türk called on the RSF and other parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the search for the dead, their collection and their evacuation, in accordance with international law and regardless of ethnicity or division. any other difference.
Bodies lying on the street
OHCHR said witnesses reported that local mediation efforts to reach and bury the dead had generally taken too long, leaving many bodies lying on the streets for days.
The family of a Masalit dignitary was killed around June 9 by the RSF and its allies, reportedly having to wait 13 days before being allowed to receive the body.
Witnesses told staff that in the event that RSF allowed the collection of corpses, after reconciling with Arabs and other community leaders, they refused to allow the injured to be taken to the hospital. hospital for medical treatment.
Make sure the injured person is taken care of
“The leadership of the RSF and its allied militias, as well as all parties to the armed conflict, must ensure that the dead are properly disposed of and that their dignity is preserved,” said Türk. guard.
Furthermore, international humanitarian and human rights law requires all warring parties to ensure that the wounded receive medical care.
The High Commissioner calls on RSF leadership to immediately and unequivocally condemn and end the killing, and end violence and hate speech based on ethnicity.
