UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan
18 February 2025
GENEVA (Reuters) – The UN human rights office warned on Friday that Sudan is approaching a “dangerous tipping point” as abuses surge following a military coup last October.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the situation in Sudan had deteriorated sharply since the coup, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and unlawful killings.
“We are deeply concerned that the situation in Sudan is rapidly spiraling out of control,” Shamdasani said. “The country is approaching a dangerous tipping point, and we urge all parties to take immediate steps to prevent further bloodshed.”
The UN human rights office said it had received credible reports of at least 79 people being killed by security forces since the coup, including at least 10 children. It also said that over 2,000 people have been arbitrarily arrested, including journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists.
Shamdasani said that the UN human rights office had also received reports of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees. She said that some detainees have been held incommunicado for weeks or even months.
The UN human rights office called on the Sudanese authorities to immediately end all forms of arbitrary detention and torture. It also called for the release of all political prisoners and the establishment of an independent investigation into the abuses that have been committed.
The Sudanese military seized power in a coup on October 25, 2022, ousting civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The coup has been met with widespread condemnation from the international community, and the UN Security Council has called for the restoration of civilian rule.
However, the Sudanese military has refused to step down, and it has continued to crack down on dissent. The UN human rights office said that the Sudanese authorities have restricted access to the internet and social media, and have imposed a state of emergency.
Shamdasani said that the UN human rights office is deeply concerned about the situation in Sudan. She said that the country is at a “critical juncture” and that it is essential for all parties to work together to prevent further bloodshed.
“We urge the Sudanese authorities to take immediate steps to end the violence, respect human rights, and restore civilian rule,” Shamdasani said. “The people of Sudan deserve to live in peace and dignity.”
UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan
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