Agencies
April 3, 2025 (Darfur 24)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his concern on Thursday at reports of widespread extrajudicial killings of civilians in Khartoum following the Sudanese army’s recapture of the city.
“I am deeply dismayed by credible reports indicating numerous summary executions of civilians in several areas of Khartoum, apparently on suspicion of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces,” Volker Türk said in a statement.
The UN official urged Sudanese military leaders to take immediate measures to end “the arbitrary deprivation of the right to life.”
The High Commissioner said that extrajudicial killings are serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, stressing the need to hold accountable the individuals who perpetrated these violations, as well as those with command responsibility, for these unacceptable actions under international criminal law.
“Cold-Blooded Executions”
Türk stated that the Human Rights Commission reviewed numerous horrific videos posted on social media since March 26, all of which appear to have been filmed in southern and eastern Khartoum.
These videos, according to the statement, show armed men—some in military uniform and others in civilian clothes—carrying out cold-blooded executions of civilians, often in public places. “In some of the videos, the perpetrators stated that they were punishing supporters of the Rapid Support Forces.”
Reports attributed the killings to the Sudanese military and members of state security agencies, as well as militias and fighters linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces.
He added, “For example, at least 20 civilians, including one woman, were allegedly killed in the South Belt area of southern Khartoum by the Sudanese Armed Forces and associated militias and fighters.”
Rise in Hate Speech
Türk explained that his office had documented a worrying increase in hate speech and incitement to violence online, with lists of individuals accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces being published online. “Ethnic groups from the Darfur and Kordofan regions appear to be disproportionately targeted,” the statement read.
The High Commissioner reiterated his call on all parties to take immediate steps to ensure that their forces respect the right to life, without discrimination, in line with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Volker Türk called on Sudan to immediately initiate independent, transparent, and effective investigations into these incidents, in accordance with relevant international standards, with a view to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring the victims’ right to truth and justice.