Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a report outlining extensive incidents of sexual violence perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum, Sudan. Titled “Khartoum is not Safe for Women!“, the report reveals that these acts, which include rape, gang rape, and forced marriages, have been documented through testimonies from various professionals such as healthcare workers and social workers.
The victims, ranging from 9 to 60 years old, face significant barriers in accessing urgent medical care and psychosocial support due to ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities and restricted civilian movement. The collapse of local police and judicial systems further hinders victims’ access to legal abortions, which are mandatory under Section 135 of the 1991 Criminal Procedures Act for rape survivors.
International law considers rape and forced marriages in the context of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians as war crimes and acts of torture. Furthermore, the report emphasizes obligations under international humanitarian law to protect access to healthcare during wartime.
The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), has resulted in over 10 million people being internally displaced, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Violations of human rights by both factions have been documented by the Independent Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan established by the Human Rights Council in October 2023.
HRW calls for increased international donor funding and support from global bodies like the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region, including allegations of rape and murder by both SAF and RSF forces.
For further details, the full HRW report can be accessed here.