Sudanese Human Rights Groups: Demand Accountability for El Fasher Crimes

• Four Sudanese human rights organizations marked the first anniversary of El Fasher's fall with a joint statement.
• They demanded civilian protection, independent investigations into alleged crimes, and accountability for those responsible.
• Serious violations reported during the siege included killings, sexual violence, and destruction of infrastructure.
• Concerns were raised about incitement to violence through ethnic rhetoric and hate speech.
• The groups called for transparency in detention facilities and investigations into deaths in custody and torture.

The organizations underscored that achieving justice requires more than just investigations; it necessitates accountability rooted in evidence, guaranteed humanitarian access for affected populations, and comprehensive redress for victims, applied without any form of discrimination or selectivity.

Marking the first anniversary of the fall of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, four prominent Sudanese human rights organizations have issued a joint statement demanding immediate action to protect civilians and ensure justice. The Sudanese Human Rights Monitor, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, the Darfur Bar Association, and the Al Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development collectively urged all parties to uphold their legal and moral duties. Their statement emphasizes the critical need for independent and transparent investigations into alleged crimes, alongside robust accountability for those responsible, to effectively end impunity.

The organizations underscored that achieving justice requires more than just investigations; it necessitates accountability rooted in evidence, guaranteed humanitarian access for affected populations, and comprehensive redress for victims, applied without any form of discrimination or selectivity. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to independently monitoring and meticulously documenting violations, advocating for the rights and dignity of victims, reinforcing the rule of law, and pursuing justice to prevent the recurrence of such abuses in the future. These Sudan civilian protection demands highlight a persistent crisis.

The joint statement specifically addresses the severe human rights abuses that occurred following the large-scale assault on El Fasher in late October 2025, which came after a prolonged siege and a drastic decline in humanitarian conditions. Numerous credible reports have detailed serious violations against the civilian population, including killings, arbitrary detention, torture, widespread sexual violence, and extensive looting. Essential infrastructure vital for civilian life was destroyed, and individuals attempting to flee the city were subjected to attacks, painting a grim picture of the Sudanese human rights El Fasher crimes.

A significant concern highlighted by the groups is the escalating use of ethnic rhetoric, hate speech, and direct incitement to violence and revenge. They warned that such language, disseminated by individuals or entities linked to the warring factions through media and digital platforms, poses a grave threat to social cohesion and risks exacerbating the conflict. The organizations called upon warring parties, political and military leaders, community representatives, and media outlets to unequivocally reject incitement to violence, discrimination, and collective retribution, stressing that criminal responsibility is individual and should not be used to justify collective punishment on ethnic or political grounds. Investigations into El Fasher incitement to violence are crucial.

The human rights groups also focused on the plight of detainees, urging those in control of detention facilities to disclose the locations and grounds for detention, notify families, and guarantee access to legal counsel. They also demanded that detainees be allowed to challenge the legality of their confinement and receive necessary care. Furthermore, the statement called for independent investigations into deaths in custody, allegations of torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detention, alongside granting independent bodies access to these facilities for oversight.

A critical point of concern raised was the lack of transparency regarding previous investigations. The organizations noted that the findings of several announced investigative committees, established to examine serious violations and incidents during the war, have yet to be published. They pressed relevant authorities to release these findings, recommendations, and the outcomes of any referrals for judicial proceedings. The groups emphasized that merely establishing such committees does not substitute for independent criminal investigations or prosecutions where legal grounds for El Fasher war crimes accountability exist. This underscores the need for thorough Sudan detention facilities investigations.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor ongoing demands for independent investigations and accountability for alleged war crimes and human rights abuses in El Fasher, Sudan. This signals potential future domestic or international legal proceedings, the need for meticulous documentation of violations, and evolving legal risks for entities or individuals connected to the conflict, particularly regarding incitement to violence and treatment of detainees.

Source: Original reporting via human rights organizations' joint statement