Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 7, 2025 Peace and security
Many residents of El Fasher, Sudan, affected by the violence remain "trapped" as they are not allowed to leave the city. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned today, expressing concern that "horrific atrocities," including extrajudicial killings, rape, and ethnically motivated violence, continue.
For those who manage to escape, the violence does not stop: on the way to shelters, they are again met with “unimaginable cruelty.”
The High Commissioner also warned of the grave situation in Kordofan, where "the number of civilian casualties, the scale of destruction and mass displacement is growing."
"There are no signs of de-escalation. On the contrary, what's happening on the ground points to clear preparations for an intensification of hostilities—with all the ensuing consequences for a population already suffering for so long," Türk said in a statement.
The role of the international community
The UN's top human rights defender called on the international community, especially states with influence over the parties to the conflict, to "recognize that unless they take swift and decisive action, we will see even more bloodshed and atrocities." Türk recalled the Security Council arms embargo, which requires that further military support be ceased for parties committing serious violations.
“I reiterate my call for an immediate end to the violence in both Darfur and Kordofan. The international community must act boldly and without delay"," the High Commissioner said.
Prevention of genocide
The newly appointed UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, also expressed concern about numerous reports of war crimes committed in El Fasher last month. He plans to discuss a coordinated response with representatives of the African Union soon.
"We are watching mass violations "international human rights norms, direct attacks on civilians, failure to respect international humanitarian law, which governs the conduct of hostilities, with attacks primarily targeting civilians," Beyani told the UN News Service.
He said that he had discussed the situation with the UN Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, and intended to send his recommendations to the Secretary-General. Antonio Guterresto the Security Council and other structures of the UN system.
Alert
According to Beyani, when the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide sounds the alarm, it signals a situation that goes beyond “ordinary violations of human rights or international humanitarian law.”
"This indicates that the threshold is about to be exceeded and therefore early response measures need to be taken," Beyani stressed.
Late last month, shocking reports and videos of alleged war crimes committed by members of the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF), who took control of North Darfur's capital, El Fasher, after a 500-day siege, began circulating online.
The Office stated that there are indicators of a risk of particularly serious international crimes being committed in Sudan, but emphasized that only a competent judicial body can establish the fact of genocide.
Earlier this week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed deep concern about reports of mass killings, rape and other crimes being committed in El Fasher, noting that an investigation into alleged war crimes, which began after the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, is ongoing.
"Humanitarian Ceasefire"
The Rapid Intervention Forces agreed to a "humanitarian ceasefire" on Thursday amid growing criticism of its forces' actions in and around El Fasher, media reports said.
The RSF leaders stated that they were ready to accept the terms of the ceasefire proposed through the mediation of the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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