The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News , Press Conferences | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence comment on Sudan
“The High Commissioner is appalled by the killing of the Governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abdullah Abbakar, on 14 June, just hours after he was arrested by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Geneina, capital of West Darfur - where the conflict has taken on an ethnic dimension, with the Rizeigat “Arab” militias and other allied militias, backed by the RSF, targeting the Masalit community,” Laurence told the biweekly press briefing in Geneva.
“The killing of the Governor, who was himself a Masalit, came just hours after he had criticized the RSF in a TV interview over ongoing attacks by RSF-mobilized “Arab” militias against the Masalit and critical infrastructure in El-Geneina, a situation he described as “beyond description,” the spokesperson said.
“All those responsible for this killing must be held to account, including those who bear command responsibility. Alongside liability of the direct perpetrator, Governor Abbakar was in the RSF’s custody, and it was the RSF’s responsibility to keep him safe,” Laurence stressed.
“His killing was the second high-profile killing in El-Geneina in a matter of days, after the older brother of the traditional chief of the Masalit, Tariq Abdelrahman Bahreldin, was killed,” he added.
Laurence continued: “We are also deeply concerned by the rise in hate speech in West Darfur as it could further inflame tensions. Our Office has reviewed video clips recorded by members of “Arab” militia boasting about their “victories”. One video appears to show a militia member walking in an empty street saying: “now in Althawra neighbourhood… the killing of the Nuba has been successfully accomplished… the expulsion of the Masalit has been successfully accomplished… sons of dogs.”
The spokesperson called for justice and accountability for extrajudicial killings and all other violations and abuses that have occurred during this ongoing conflict.
The UN Human Rights Office is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in El-Geneina and throughout Sudan and the immediate establishment of a humanitarian corridor between Chad and El-Geneina, as well as safe passage for civilians out of all conflict areas.
“El-Geneina has been under large-scale and repeated attacks by RSF and allied fighters since 24 April. They have targeted districts inhabited by the Masalit; preventing the movement of people, goods, and humanitarian aid, and destroying essential infrastructure – all this amid a communications blackout since at least 19 May,“ Laurence said.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or
Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or
Jeremy Laurence + +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org or
Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org
Tag and share
Twitter @UNHumanRights
Facebook unitednationshumanrights
Instagram @unitednationshumanrights
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
- Exterior shots: Palais Wilson
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The High Commissioner is appalled by the killing of the Governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abdullah Abbakar, on 14 June, just hours after he was arrested by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Geneina, capital of West Darfur - where the conflict has taken on an ethnic dimension, with the Rizeigat “Arab” militias and other allied militias, backed by the RSF, targeting the Masalit community.”
- Cut aways: briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The killing of the Governor, who was himself a Masalit, came just hours after he had criticized the RSF in a TV interview over ongoing attacks by RSF-mobilized “Arab” militias against the Masalit and critical infrastructure in El-Geneina, a situation he described as “beyond description.”
- Cut aways: briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “All those responsible for this killing must be held to account, including those who bear command responsibility. Alongside liability of the direct perpetrator, Governor Abbakar was in the RSF’s custody, and it was the RSF’s responsibility to keep him safe.”
- Cut aways: briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “His killing was the second high-profile killing in El-Geneina in a matter of days, after the older brother of the traditional chief of the Masalit, Tariq Abdelrahman Bahreldin, was killed.”
- Cut aways: briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “We are also deeply concerned by the rise in hate speech in West Darfur as it could further inflame tensions. Our Office has reviewed video clips recorded by members of “Arab” militiaboasting about their “victories”. One video appears to show a militia member walking in an empty street saying: “now in Althawra neighbourhood… the killing of the Nuba has been successfully accomplished… the expulsion of the Masalit has been successfully accomplished… sons of dogs.”
- Cut aways: briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “El-Geneina has been under large-scale and repeated attacks by RSF and allied fighters since 24 April. They have targeted districts inhabited by the Masalit; preventing the movement of people, goods, and humanitarian aid, and destroying essential infrastructure – all this amid a communications blackout since at least 19 May.”
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office has published a report on the grave human rights abuses suffered by the hundreds of thousands of people trafficked into scam operations mostly in southeast Asia.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado briefed journalists on a UN report detailing child trafficking by gangs and how it is putting Haiti’s future at risk.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , IFRC , UN WOMEN
Ukraine’s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy, healthcare continue – UN humanitarians
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions in Ukraine struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes, with the crisis taking a particular toll on women, humanitarians warned on Friday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , OHCHR , UN WOMEN , UNICEF , WFP , WHO
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
HRC Investigative Bodies press conference - Launch of a report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
“Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya are subjected to ruthless and systematic human rights violations and abuses, which include killings, torture, sexual violence and trafficking,” the UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told the bi-weekly press conference in Geneva today.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , IOM
Four years of war in Ukraine: Childhood has ‘moved underground’, displacement continues – UN humanitarians
Civilian suffering shows no sign of letting up in Ukraine as the four-year-mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion nears amid attacks on energy infrastructure, blackouts and freezing temperatures, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNICEF Giga , UNICEF , IOM , UNHCR , OHCHR , UNECE , WHO
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the Giga Initiative.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Friday voiced concerns about the severe impacts on human rights of the socio-economic crisis in Cuba.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
Madagascar: ‘Overwhelming’ destruction, surging needs after back-to-back cyclones – WFP
Some 10 days after tropical cyclone Fytia brought heavy rains and flooding to Madagascar, cyclone Gezani has left the island’s main port in ruins, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR , UNHCR , UNICEF , WFP
Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the World Health Organization.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN rights chief urges de-escalation in Tigray amid rising tensions and violence.