UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan
- Published: 2025-02-18 12:00
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights office warned on Thursday that Sudan was at a “dangerous tipping point” as abuses including arbitrary arrests, torture and deaths in custody surged across the country.
In a report, the office said it had documented 112 deaths in detention since the military seized power in October 2021, including 89 between January and December 2022.
“The situation in Sudan is extremely alarming,” said Volker Türk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. “The authorities are using excessive force against protesters, arbitrary arrests and detention are widespread, and torture and ill-treatment are rampant.”
The report said security forces had used live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protests, and that protesters had been subjected to arbitrary arrests, detention and torture.
It also said that there had been a sharp increase in reports of sexual violence, including rape and other forms of sexual abuse, by security forces.
The report called on the Sudanese authorities to end the use of excessive force, release all political prisoners and investigate all allegations of human rights violations.
The Sudanese government has denied that there is a systematic problem of human rights abuses and has accused the UN of bias.
However, the UN report said that the government had failed to cooperate with its investigations and had obstructed the work of human rights monitors.
The report warned that the situation in Sudan was “deteriorating rapidly” and that the country was “at a dangerous tipping point.”
“If the authorities do not take urgent action to address the human rights crisis, Sudan risks sliding into further violence and instability,” the report said.
Background:
Sudan has been in turmoil since the military seized power in October 2021. The coup was met with widespread protests, which the security forces have violently suppressed.
The military has also cracked down on dissent, arresting political activists, journalists and human rights defenders.
The UN report said that the human rights situation in Sudan was “the worst it has been in years.”
Impact:
The human rights crisis in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the country. The abuses are creating a climate of fear and intimidation, and are preventing people from exercising their basic rights.
The crisis is also having a negative impact on the country’s economy and stability. The violence and instability are deterring investment and tourism, and are making it difficult for businesses to operate.
International response:
The international community has condemned the human rights abuses in Sudan and has called on the military to restore civilian rule.
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for an end to the violence and for the release of political prisoners.
The United States has also imposed sanctions on the Sudanese military and has suspended aid to the country.
Conclusion:
The human rights crisis in Sudan is a serious threat to the country’s peace and stability. The international community must continue to pressure the military to end the abuses and to restore civilian rule.
UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan
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