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UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk is extremely concerned by the escalating violence and hostilities in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State, which are further exacerbating the risk of attacks against civilians, ethnically motivated violence and atrocity crimes, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango said on Tuesday. He was speaking at the bi-weekly UN press briefing in Geneva.
“UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is extremely concerned by the escalating hostilities and violence in Sudan. The violence is taking place in Al-Jazirah State,” he said.
“Since the defection of Abu Aqla Keikel, a commander in the Rapid Support Forces, to the Sudanese Armed Forces on 20 October, attacks by the RSF on villages in Al-Jazirah state have increased, apparently in retaliation for his defection and targeting members of his ethnic group,” he added.
“On Friday 25 October, at least 124 people were reportedly killed in an attack by RSF ground forces on Al-Seriha village,” he noted.
“This incident follows at least two other attacks by RSF ground forces on the nearby towns of Tamboul and Rufaa earlier in the week. Reports suggest hundreds of people were killed in Tamboul.” he said.
“They also indicate at least 25 cases of sexual violence in multiple villages in Sharq Al Gazira locality, including of three medical personnel and an 11-year-old girl, who died as a result,” he added.
Speaking at the at the biweekly UN press briefing in Geneva, Magango said, “As a result of the violence, thousands of families have reportedly been displaced from Al-Jazirah state into the neighbouring states of Gedaref and Kassala, adding to the already dire displacement crisis in the country,” said the spokesperson.
“There are also reports of burning of crops. At a time when over 25 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity because of the ongoing conflict, destruction of crops in a region considered the country’s breadbasket can only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation,” he said.
“UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterates his call on all parties to strictly respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians,” said Magango.
“The leaders of both sides must promptly take all measures to de-escalate the situation,” he said
He also called for all alleged violations to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice, following fair trials.
Ends
STORY: UN Human Rights Spokesperson Seif Magango on escalating violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State
TRT: 02:40
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 29 OCTOBER 2024 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Exterior shot: Palais des Nations
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is extremely concerned by the escalating hostilities and violence in Sudan. The violence is taking place in Al-Jazirah State.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Since the defection of Abu Aqla Keikel, a commander in the Rapid Support Forces, to the Sudanese Armed Forces on 20 October, attacks by the RSF on villages in Al-Jazirah state have increased, apparently in retaliation for his defection, and targeting members of his ethnic group.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “On Friday 25 October, at least 124 people were reportedly killed in an attack by RSF ground forces on Al-Seriha village.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “This incident follows at least two other attacks by RSF ground forces on the nearby towns of Tamboul and Rufaa earlier in the week. Reports suggest hundreds of people were killed in Tamboul.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “They indicate at least 25 cases of sexual violence in multiple villages in Sharq Al Gazira locality, including of three medical personnel and an 11-year-old girl, who died as a result.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “As a result of the violence, thousands of families have reportedly been displaced from Al-Jazirah state into the neighbouring states of Gedaref and Kassala, adding to the already dire displacement crisis in the country.
- Cut away: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): There are reports of burning of crops. At a time when over 25 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity because of the ongoing conflict, destruction of crops in a region considered the country’s breadbasket can only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation.”
- Cut away: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterates his call on all parties to strictly respect the obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Seif Magango, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The leaders of both sides must promptly take all measures to de-escalate the situation.”
- Cutaway: Briefing room
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