UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has begun his first official visit to Sudan since November 2022, meeting families displaced by the country’s ongoing conflict. The tour comes as fighting between rival military factions continues to devastate large areas, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan, displacing millions.
Speaking from the ground, Türk described being deeply affected by the testimonies of survivors, particularly women and girls who have endured sexual violence. “I met nine survivors who shared horrific stories. I have rarely encountered individuals so deeply traumatized,” he said.
The survivors recounted being subjected to gang rapes in El-Fasher, Darfur, as they attempted to flee violence. Male relatives including brothers and sons were reportedly abducted or killed in front of them, leaving lasting psychological scars.
The UN High Commissioner emphasized that these accounts highlight the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Since the onset of the conflict, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented widespread abuses, including rape, gang rape, abduction, and sexual slavery, often targeting individuals based on their ethnicity or perceived affiliation with opposing forces.
Türk’s visit underscores the urgent need for international attention and accountability as Sudan faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians at risk of further displacement, trauma, and human rights violations.
