UN experts: Horrific violations in Sudan may amount to war crimes

October 4, 2025 (Pen) UN experts have expressed grave concern over escalating violations in Sudan, warning that "the scale and gravity of what is happening may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," amid reports of indiscriminate killings, mass displacement, sexual violence, and obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery.

"Sudan cannot be allowed to slide further into a nightmare of violence, hunger, and despair," the experts said in their statement, noting that the deliberate targeting of civilians and the use of starvation and sexual violence as weapons of war are leading to a "humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions."

According to United Nations estimates, the number of displaced people has exceeded 11 million, including 8.6 million internally displaced persons and more than 3 million refugees, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. Meanwhile, the city of El Fasher and parts of Darfur are under a crippling siege, amid ongoing bombardment and severe shortages of food, medicine, and water.

The experts confirmed that the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and associated groups are implicated in serious violations, including rape, gang rape, torture, and sexual slavery, noting that displaced women and girls bear the brunt of these atrocities.

The experts called on the international community to take urgent action to halt the violence, pressure the warring parties, provide unhindered humanitarian assistance, and ensure accountability for violations through international mechanisms. They emphasized that "silence in the face of Sudan's suffering is complicity, and the world must act now."