UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Sudan attacks

Brutal attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the besieged city of El Fasher and the adjoining Abu Shouk camp for displaced persons in North Darfur, Sudan, resulted in the killing of at least 89 civilians over a 10-day period up to 20 August, the UN Human Rights Office said on Friday.

“We fear the actual number of civilians killed is likely higher,” spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told the biweekly press briefing in Geneva.

In the latest attacks documented by the UN Human Rights Office, between 16 and 20 August, at least 32 civilians were killed. At least 57 civilians were killed in previous attacks on 11 August.

“Such attacks are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” aid Laurence.

“We are particularly horrified that among the most recent spate of civilian killings, 16 appear to have been cases of summary executions. Most of the victims were killed in Abu Shouk camp and belonged to the African Zaghawa tribe, according to information gathered by our Office. In another case in the El Fasher area, a victim was asked which tribe he belonged to. He was killed after responding that he was from the African Berti tribe,” he added.

“This pattern of attacks on civilians and wilful killings, which are serious violations of international humanitarian law, deepens our concerns about ethnically motivated violence,” Laurence stressed.

He noted that the Office had also received disturbing reports from the ground that during attacks on 16 August at least 40 internally displaced men were abducted. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

“The humanitarian situation in El Fasher has reached a critical point after more than a year of siege. There is a growing risk of famine in both the city and other areas of North Darfur,” the spokesperson said.

In this context, accounts that those trying to deliver much-needed aid have once again come under attack were all the more appalling. On 20 August, a UN humanitarian convoy, consisting of 16 trucks carrying essential food supplies, was hit by aerial strikes in Mellit, North Darfur. This incident follows a previous attack on a UN humanitarian convoy in Al Koma, North Darfur, on 2 June.

Humanitarian assistance and workers are protected explicitly under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted. Laurence highlighted. Attacks on humanitarian efforts only worsens the human rights situation for civilians.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türks has called on all parties to the conflict to take concrete measures immediately to ensure the protection of civilians, including safe passage for those wishing to leave conflict-affected areas, and to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian assistance for those in need, Laurence concluded.

For more information and media requests, please contact

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Marta Hurtado: marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

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