UN raises alarm over civilian executions in Sudan

The UN has condemned reports of extrajudicial killings of civilians in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, after it was recaptured by the Sudanese military last month.

The Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers said in a statement earlier this week that the army had carried out field executions of civilians suspected of supporting the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the country's two-year-old civil war.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk said he was "appalled" by the reports and urged the Sudanese army to end "arbitrary deprivation of life".

A video shared by Emergency Lawyers shows multiple instances of individuals, some blindfolded, being fatally shot by men in uniform and others in civilian clothing. The footage has not been independently verified.

However, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) cited similar videos reportedly showing armed men "executing civilians in cold blood" and perpetrators stating that they are punishing RSF supporters.

"Extrajudicial killings are serious violations and their perpetrators, as well as those with command responsibility, must be held accountable," said Thameen al-Kheetan, an OHCHR spokesperson.

The Sudanese army has not commented on the reports or the UN's remarks.

OHCHR also raised alarm over a surge in online hate speech and calls for violence, including the circulation of lists accusing individuals of collaborating with the RSF.

War broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the military and the RSF. Although the military has reclaimed control of strategic locations including el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, clashes continue across the country.

At least 20,000 people have been killed in the war, although experts believe the true death toll is significantly higher. Over 14 million people have been displaced, and parts of Sudan are now facing famine.