A War of Atrocities: Systematic Crimes Against Civilians in Sudan Documented by UN Fact-Finding Mission
“The UN Fact-Finding Mission documents a shocking pattern of atrocities in Sudan, with civilians deliberately targeted through killings, sexual violence, torture, and forced displacement. Essential services and humanitarian aid have been systematically blocked, leaving millions at risk. Women, children, and ethnic minorities face particular vulnerability. The Mission calls for urgent international action to protect civilians, ensure accountability, support humanitarian relief, and uphold the legal and moral obligations of the global community.”
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan has documented widespread atrocities and crimes against humanity committed against civilians, revealing the devastating human cost of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The report, “A War of Atrocities,” found that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have carried out deliberate attacks on civilians, destroyed essential infrastructure including hospitals, markets, and water systems, and obstructed humanitarian assistance. Between April 2023 and April 2025, more than 84 humanitarian workers were killed, and convoys attacked, while aid delivery was systematically blocked.
The RSF, particularly during the siege of El Fasher and surrounding areas, committed large-scale crimes including murder, torture, sexual violence, enslavement, forced displacement, and persecution on ethnic, gender, and political grounds. Women and girls, some as young as 12, from non-Arab communities were specifically targeted. The SAF and its allies were also implicated in killings, sexualized torture, and forced displacement in areas like Gezira.
The report highlights the urgent need for international action to protect civilians, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide humanitarian relief. Over 12 million people are displaced, and more than half the nation faces acute food insecurity. Only one in four health facilities remains functional in the worst-affected regions.
“Every day of inaction leaves Sudanese lives and communities at risk,” said Mona Rishmawi, expert member of the Fact-Finding Mission. “Accountability is not optional—it is a legal and moral imperative to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities.”
The Fact-Finding Mission calls for immediate international measures: enforcing arms embargoes, supporting the International Criminal Court, establishing independent judicial mechanisms, imposing targeted sanctions, and ensuring rapid humanitarian assistance.
05 September 2025
Read the full UN Fact-Finding Mission report
Report to the Human Rights Council:
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/ffm-sudan/a-hrc-60-22-auv.pdf
Annex:
Press Release:
FFM Sudan homepage
