Parties To Conflict In Sudan Responsible For Numerous International Crimes -- OHCHR

MOSCOW, Sept. 6 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- Parties to the conflict in Sudan have committed numerous international crimes, many of which may constitute crimes against humanity, reported Sputnik, quoting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday.

"Sudan's warring parties have committed an appalling range of harrowing human rights violations and international crimes, including many which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," OHCHR said in a statement, citing the first report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.

Both the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were involved in serious violations, including attacks on civilians, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure such as water and power supplies, according to the statement.

"The warring parties also targeted civilians — as well as those assisting survivors or documenting violations — through rape and other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as torture and ill-treatment. These violations may amount to war crimes related to violence to life and person and committing outrages upon personal dignity," the statement said.

Mohamed Chande Othman, the chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, called for urgent action to protect civilians.

"Given the failure of the warring parties to spare civilians, it is imperative that an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians be deployed without delay," Othman was quoted as saying by the office.

On April 15, 2023, clashes broke out between the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF. The parties to the conflict have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but none have helped to settle the conflict.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK