UN Human Rights Council Orders Urgent Probe into 'Appalling' Abuses in Sudan's el‑Fasher

UN Human Rights Council launches urgent investigation into el‑Fasher abuses

The United Nations' top human rights body has adopted a resolution directing an independent fact‑finding mission to conduct an urgent investigation into alleged mass killings, sexual violence and other serious abuses in el‑Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

The resolution, approved at a special session in Geneva, tasks the UN Independent International Fact‑Finding Mission on Sudan to promptly document violations, identify suspected perpetrators where possible, and gather evidence that could support accountability measures.

Background: The move follows reports that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized full control of el‑Fasher on 26 October after an 18‑month siege during fighting with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) that began in April 2023. Nearly 100,000 people are reported to have fled the city since the takeover, and thousands more are believed to remain trapped.

Displaced civilians and humanitarian sources have reported indiscriminate attacks, ethnically targeted executions, sexual violence including gang rape, abductions for ransom, widespread arbitrary detention, and assaults on health facilities and aid workers. Sudanese medics have warned that bodies are being buried in an apparent attempt to conceal the scale of the killings.

"The atrocities that are unfolding in el‑Fasher were foreseen and preventable," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk told the council, calling the abuses "the gravest of crimes."

Türk urged stronger international action, saying: "There has been too much pretence and performance and too little action. The international community has a clear duty to act against these atrocities used to subjugate and control an entire population."

The RSF has denied deliberately targeting civilians or blocking aid, attributing such incidents to rogue elements. However, the UN, human rights groups and other observers say available evidence points to mass killings and other abuses carried out by the paramilitary group.

During the session, Mona Rishmawi, a member of the UN's independent fact‑finding mission, described alleged cases of rape, torture and killings and said a full, comprehensive investigation is needed to establish the complete picture. She reported that RSF forces had turned el‑Fasher University, where thousands had shelter, "into a killing ground."

Officials also warned that violence is spreading to neighbouring Kordofan, where bombardments, blockades and forced displacement have been reported. The council stressed the need to prevent Kordofan from suffering a fate similar to Darfur.

While the Human Rights Council cannot compel states to comply, its findings can spotlight abuses and support prosecutions in bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). In early November the ICC said it was taking immediate steps to preserve and collect evidence related to the alleged crimes in el‑Fasher for potential future prosecutions as part of its wider Darfur investigation.

Humanitarian appeal: UN agencies and humanitarian organisations have called urgently for a ceasefire and safe corridors to allow life‑saving aid to reach civilians trapped in the city.