ICRC Sudan: Detainee Access Dialogue Continues Amid Conflict

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) faces severely limited access to detention centers in Sudan, hindering sustained visits to detainees.
• The ICRC maintains confidential dialogue with all conflict parties to secure access, improve detention conditions, and ensure humane treatment for detainees.
• A training workshop on international humanitarian law (IHL) for Rapid Support Forces (RSF) members began in Central Darfur on October 8.
• The ICRC does not publicly comment on the content of its confidential discussions or specific detention conditions to maintain access and achieve improvements.
• The organization addresses humanitarian concerns and IHL violations directly and confidentially with authorities, without publishing statistics or attributing specific cases publicly.

To ensure ongoing access and achieve tangible improvements in the welfare of detainees, the ICRC adheres to a strict policy of not publicly disclosing the specifics of these discussions or the conditions within particular detention facilities.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sudan continues to face significant hurdles in its fundamental mission to visit individuals deprived of their liberty amidst the ongoing conflict. Despite these challenges, the organization maintains a confidential dialogue with all parties involved in hostilities, a critical approach for addressing the dire Sudan conflict detention conditions. This sustained engagement is designed to secure improved access to detention facilities, enhance the humane treatment of detainees, and facilitate communication between those held and their families.

Access to detention centers across Sudan remains severely restricted, preventing the ICRC from conducting its activities with detainees on a consistent and sustained basis. Farid El Humaid, an ICRC spokesperson in Sudan, confirmed that visiting people deprived of liberty is a core activity for the organization. To ensure ongoing access and achieve tangible improvements in the welfare of detainees, the ICRC adheres to a strict policy of not publicly disclosing the specifics of these discussions or the conditions within particular detention facilities. This confidential bilateral dialogue is deemed an operational necessity, enabling the ICRC to fulfill its humanitarian mandate without implying recognition or political support for any party.

Beyond direct detainee access, the International Committee Red Cross Sudan actively conducts awareness sessions on international humanitarian law (IHL) with all parties engaged in the conflict, a practice applied globally. A notable instance of this effort was an IHL training workshop for members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that commenced on October 8 in Central Darfur. These sessions aim to foster respect for the established rules that protect civilians, individuals no longer participating in hostilities, and civilian infrastructure.

Consistent with its policy of discretion, the ICRC does not publicly disclose the frequency or internal standards of these IHL training sessions. When assessing the impact of these workshops on the conduct of parties on the ground, the organization does not function as a public monitoring body or establish joint public assessment mechanisms. Instead, the ICRC addresses humanitarian concerns through its ongoing, confidential bilateral dialogue, consistently reminding parties of their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, including the rules governing the conduct of hostilities.

The ICRC's commitment to confidential dialogue, while crucial for maintaining access and facilitating improvements in Sudan conflict detainee treatment, inherently limits public information regarding specific violations or conditions. This approach means that the organization does not publish statistics on alleged violations or publicly attribute specific cases to any party. This confidentiality is maintained to safeguard the safety, dignity, and privacy of the individuals receiving assistance.

Despite the confidential nature of its reporting on violations, the ICRC, in partnership with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, actively works to support survivors of international humanitarian law breaches. This includes facilitating access to life-saving medical care and psychosocial support, with a primary focus on the specific needs and circumstances of each survivor. The ICRC has provided both material assistance and psychological support to these individuals, addressing humanitarian concerns directly and confidentially with the relevant authorities to prevent further violations and enhance the protection of people affected by the armed conflict.

Lawyers advising on international humanitarian law or human rights in conflict zones should understand that the ICRC's confidential dialogue is the primary, albeit opaque, mechanism for addressing detainee welfare and IHL adherence in Sudan. This means public information on specific violations or conditions will remain limited, impacting accountability efforts and requiring reliance on indirect assessments of compliance by conflict parties.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Dabanga