Sudan paramilitaries committing widespread sexual violence: HRW

Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces Committing Widespread Sexual Violence Says Human Rights Watch

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have been accused of committing widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan, according to a recent report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). The report, released on 19 March, details the accounts of over 70 survivors and witnesses, who have described cases of rape, gang rape, and other sexual violence allegedly carried out by the RSF and their allied militias against the civilian population.

The HRW report paints a harrowing picture of the situation in southern Sudan, where conflict has been ongoing since December 2013. The report highlights how sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, with women and girls being targeted by armed actors in order to intimidate and punish the entire community. This brutal tactic has left a trail of devastation, destroying lives and communities.

According to the report, the majority of the sexual violence incidents took place during military operations between 2018 and 2020. Many of the women and girls who were raped were also physically assaulted and subjected to other forms of torture, such as beatings, stabbing, and burning. The perpetrators have not been held accountable for their actions, leaving the survivors to suffer in silence and without justice.

The testimonies of survivors and witnesses in the HRW report provide a chilling insight into the scale of sexual violence being perpetuated in southern Sudan. One survivor, who was raped by multiple soldiers, said: “They violated me one by one. They didn’t say anything. They just did it and left.” Another survivor stated: “They tied me up and raped me. Then they took my husband and killed him. I have no one now, I am alone.”

The widespread sexual violence being committed by the RSF and allied militias is a gross violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws. It is also a clear violation of the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, a global initiative that Sudan has endorsed. The Sudanese government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from these grave violations and hold the perpetrators accountable.

The HRW report has called for urgent action to address the ongoing sexual violence in southern Sudan. The first step that must be taken is by the Sudanese government and international community to recognize the seriousness of the situation and take immediate action to end these atrocities. Measures must be put in place to ensure that survivors of sexual violence have access to adequate medical and psychosocial support, and that they are protected from reprisals and stigma.

The Sudanese government should also take immediate steps to hold the perpetrators of sexual violence accountable. Those responsible must be brought to justice, regardless of their status or affiliation. This will not only bring some measure of justice to the survivors, but also serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to commit such heinous crimes.

It is also crucial for the Sudanese government to take proactive measures to prevent sexual violence from happening in the first place. This includes developing effective accountability mechanisms for armed actors, increasing the presence of law enforcement and protecting civilians, particularly women and girls, from sexual violence.

In addition, the international community must demonstrate its commitment to ending sexual violence in southern Sudan by providing necessary support to the survivors and their communities. This includes funding for medical and psychosocial support, as well as legal aid and advocacy for survivors.

It is time for the leaders of Sudan to take a strong stance against sexual violence and ensure that the rights and dignity of women and girls are protected. We call on the Sudanese government and the international community to take immediate and decisive action to end the widespread sexual violence being carried out by the RSF and allied militias in southern Sudan.

It is our collective responsibility to stand with the survivors and demand justice for them. We cannot stay silent while women and girls continue to suffer at the hands of armed actors. The time to act is now. We must work together to end the cycle of violence and promote a society where all individuals, regardless of their gender, can live safely and with dignity.

This is not just about the survivors in southern Sudan, but it is about the dignity and human rights of all women and girls around the world. Let us join hands and make a stand against sexual violence in conflict. No one should ever have to endure the pain and suffering that these survivors have gone through. It is time to break the silence and demand accountability for those