UN Commissioner calls for pressure on Sudan's conflicting parties to resume urgent dialogue

September 8, 2025 (PEN) Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned of the continued disregard of international humanitarian and human rights law by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, noting that thousands of civilians have been killed in Sudan this year.

During his briefing to the Human Rights Council on Monday at the opening of its 60th session in Geneva, Türk said that hostilities are escalating in Darfur and Kordofan, with health facilities, markets, and water stations targeted by both sides.

"The scale of the suffering of the Sudanese people across this vast country is indescribable and requires the world's full attention," Turk stressed.

The High Commissioner stressed the urgent need for decisive action to prevent further atrocity crimes, calling on all states to respect the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council, pressure the warring parties to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and resume urgent dialogue on a ceasefire and return to civilian rule.