The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday expressed concern about the “continuing devastating impact of the fighting in Sudan on civilians.” UNHCR’s media spokesman, Jeremy Lawrence, told a press conference at the United Nations headquartrs in Geneva that an attack targeting a crowded livestock market this week in the capital, Khartoum, had killed at least eight civilians, including at least three members of the same family.
Lawrence also regretted the death of at least 71 children in an orphanage in Khartoum since the fighting began due to the lack of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies. At the same time, the Commission is also concerned about reports of conflict-related sexual violence, as the Commission has received credible reports of 12 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 37 women, with a high chance that the number will be higher.
He said there are increasing reports of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, another cause for concern.
Journalists are also at increased risk amid the rise of hate speech and misinformation online.
Lawrence stressed the call of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to both sides of the fighting to ensure the protection of civilians and respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Both parties to the conflict must also ensure that all violations are effectively and independently investigated and those responsible are held accountable.
Source: Kuwait News Agency