Darfur: People subjected to collective torture - ICC Briefing | United Nations

Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Nazhat Shameem Khan said, “Darfuris, as we speak, are being subjected to collective torture.”

Addressing the Security Council virtually today (19 Jan) Khan reported that the situation in Darfur “has darkened even further.”

She said, “The fall of El Fasher to the RSF has been accompanied by an organized, calculated campaign of the most profound suffering, targeting non-Arab communities in particular.”

She continued, “Rape, arbitrary detention, executions, mass graves, all perpetrated on a massive scale. Many of these crimes have been filmed and celebrated by those committing them. This dreadful situation is still ongoing.”

She highlighted, “War crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in El Fasher, including in particular in late October as a culmination of the siege of the city by the Rapid Support Forces.”

She stressed, “This criminality is being repeated in town after town in Darfur. It will continue until this conflict, and the sense of impunity that fuels it, are stopped.”

She said, “If we are to ensure that the conviction of Ali Kushayb sets the basis for further accountability, the expanded and active cooperation of our partners will be essential. The scale of suffering and criminality in Darfur at present can only be addressed if we work together.”

She added, “The Government of Sudan must work with us seriously, with focus, to secure the arrest of those individuals subject to ICC arrest warrants presently in Sudan: Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, Ahmad Harun and Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein. I underline again that Mr. Harun in particular must be given priority.”