Rights chief warns ‘abominable atrocities’ likely continue in Sudan’s El Fasher – UN News

Report on the Crisis in El Fasher, Sudan, and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary of the Humanitarian Situation

• Following the capture of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on October 23, a severe humanitarian crisis has unfolded, marked by widespread violence, civilian casualties, and mass displacement.
• The conflict between the RSF and the national military government continues, with reports indicating that traumatized civilians are trapped within the city and prevented from leaving.
• UN officials report that exit routes have become scenes of extreme violence for those attempting to flee.

Severe Contravention of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The conflict represents a catastrophic failure to achieve the targets of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.

• Erosion of Peace and Security: The intensified hostilities and lack of de-escalation directly undermine SDG Target 16.1 (Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere).
• Breakdown of Justice and Rule of Law: UN human rights watchdogs and experts have reported on atrocities that constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity, including:
  • Summary executions
  • Ethnically motivated violence
  • Direct attacks on civilians
• Failure of Institutions: The inability to secure a comprehensive ceasefire and protect civilians points to a collapse of institutional capacity to maintain peace and order.

Impact on Social and Human Development Goals

The crisis has caused severe regressions across multiple social SDGs, particularly those concerning equality, health, and human dignity.

1. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): UN experts have expressed alarm over “sadistic levels” of sexual violence and rape. These acts are a gross violation of SDG Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Credible reports of “ethnically targeted summary executions” by the RSF directly contravene the fundamental principles of SDG 10, which calls for the empowerment and inclusion of all, irrespective of ethnicity.
3. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The statement from the UN human rights chief highlighting “traumatised civilians” and mounting casualties underscores the devastating impact on the physical and mental health of the population, hindering progress on SDG 3.

International Response and Call for Action in Line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The international community’s response is critical to mitigating the crisis and reflects the principles of global partnership outlined in SDG 17.

• A ceasefire proposed by the United States and Arab countries was reportedly accepted by the RSF, but not by the national army, indicating a partial but incomplete diplomatic effort.
• UN officials have issued urgent calls for international action:
  1. An immediate end to the violence in both Darfur and Kordofan.
  2. Enforcement of the UN Security Council’s arms embargo to stop military support to parties committing serious violations.
  3. Prompt and independent investigations into the reported atrocities.
• The UN Human Rights Council is scheduled to hold a special session on November 14 to address the human rights situation, demonstrating an institutional mechanism for global partnership and accountability.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article’s core focus is on the breakdown of peace and justice in El Fasher, Sudan. It details ongoing conflict, violence against civilians, war crimes, and the failure of institutions to protect citizens. Phrases like “summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence,” “massive violations of international human rights law,” and the call for an “immediate end to the violence” directly connect to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article explicitly highlights gender-based violence as a feature of the conflict. The mention of “rape” and the UN experts’ concern over “sadistic levels of sexual violence and abuse” directly address the need to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, a central aim of SDG 5.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The conflict’s impact on the urban center of El Fasher is a key theme. The article describes the city falling to a militia, leading to “destruction and mass displacement.” This situation directly undermines the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. This target is directly relevant, as the article describes “civilian casualties,” “summary executions,” “direct attacks on civilians,” and widespread violence that the international community is being urged to stop.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article points to a complete collapse of the rule of law, citing “massive violations of international human rights law,” “war crimes,” and potential “crimes against humanity.” The call for “prompt independent investigations” underscores the lack of access to justice for victims.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. This target is clearly identified through the specific mentions of “rape” and “sexual violence and abuse” being perpetrated against the civilian population during the conflict.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters. The armed conflict in El Fasher acts as a man-made disaster. The article’s references to “civilian casualties, destruction and mass displacement” directly align with the aims of this target to protect vulnerable populations in disaster situations.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 16.1 (Reduce violence and death rates):

   • Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population. The article implies this indicator through its repeated references to “civilian casualties,” “summary executions,” and “direct attacks on civilians.” Measuring the number of deaths resulting from the conflict is a direct way to assess the situation’s severity.

2. For Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women):

   • Indicator 5.2.2: Proportion of women and girls subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner. This indicator is strongly implied by the reports of “rape” and “sadistic levels of sexual violence” occurring in the context of the conflict, where perpetrators are armed militia members.

3. For Target 11.5 (Reduce disaster-affected people):

   • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. The article implies this indicator by mentioning “mass displacement” and “traumatised civilians… trapped inside El Fasher.” These phrases point to a large population directly affected by the man-made disaster of the conflict.

4. For Target 16.3 (Promote rule of law and access to justice):

   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence… who reported their victimization to competent authorities. The article implies a near-zero value for this indicator. The description of a city under militia control, where “war crimes” are ongoing and civilians are “prevented from leaving,” suggests that no competent or safe authorities exist for victims to report to. The call for “independent investigations” further highlights the absence of local justice mechanisms.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.un.org