Sudan’s military government’s army has been fighting fighters formerly allied with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia for control of the vast country, where more than 12 million people have been uprooted.
Millions of people have fled across the border in what is the world’s largest displacement crisis.
In an in-depth interview with UN NewsThe top official of the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in Sudan, Li Fung, describes the scale of the violations taking place, the urgent need for accountability and why the bravery of Sudanese communities remains a vital source of hope.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
UN News: As we commemorate Human Rights Day, how would you characterize the current human rights situation in Sudan?
Li Fung: It is still extremely serious. The situation is, above all, a human rights and protection crisis driven by two and a half years of conflict and widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law throughout the country.
This has triggered the world’s largest humanitarian emergency, massive displacement and alarming levels of hunger.
The scale and brutality of the violations we continue to document reflect a crisis that has shattered the lives of millions of people and stripped countless Sudanese of the basic protections to which every human being is entitled.
It is difficult to put into words the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Cities reduced to rubble, families torn apart overnight, and civilians forced to make impossible decisions just to survive.
But in this context, OHCHR continues to support the people of Sudan, bearing witness and documenting violations, advocating for action to protect human rights and supporting the UN and humanitarian response.
On Human Rights Day, our message is clear: the human rights of the Sudanese people must be defended. All parties must respect their obligations under international law, protect civilians and ensure accountability for violations. The people of Sudan deserve peace, justice and full respect for their basic human race.
Sudanese women meet with OHCHR team in Khartoum.
UN News: Many Sudanese fear that current violations will go unpunished. What accountability mechanism currently exists and what role can OHCHR play in ensuring justice for victims in Sudan?
Li Fung: Accountability remains one of the most pressing challenges in Sudan, but despite the challenges of the current situation, several mechanisms exist.
OHCHR, and particularly our office in Sudan, has a very important role to play in promoting accountability. We continue to document and verify violations of international law in extremely difficult conditions, from the perspective of preserving what has happened on the ground, giving a voice to survivors, victims and witnesses and ensuring that this can contribute to accountability processes.
We also inform the High Commissioner (Volker Türk), who reports to the Human Rights Council, and this ensures that the situation in Sudan remains on the international agenda. Additionally, we engage with survivors, advocate for their rights and inclusion, and support efforts to rebuild and strengthen rule of law institutions that can deliver justice.
At the international level, there are also several important mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is mandated to investigate international crimes.
In addition, the ICC has established an independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan, whose role is complementary to our role as an office in the country, and is documenting violations, analyzing responsibility and international crimes that may have been committed.
But among all these international efforts, it is important to highlight internal responsibility; and that is why we are working with different rule of law institutions seeking capacities to promote accountability and justice for the people of Sudan.
UN News: As we all know, access to affected areas in Sudan and especially Darfur is extremely limited. How can the international community meaningfully support the documentation of human rights violations in these areas?
Li Fung: In terms of responding to the crisis in Sudan, the support of the international community is vital in many ways. First, funding the human rights response, the humanitarian response, requires resources to be able to meet the extreme needs and priorities of the people of Sudan.
Secondly, political action. Member States have an incredibly important role to play in upholding international law, using their influence to press for dialogue, peace, a ceasefire, truly ending arms flows and advancing accountability and justice for the people of Sudan.
Documenting violations on the ground is fundamental to all of these efforts because it truly informs efforts in response to humanitarian needs, the priorities of the population, to advance the protection of civilians through very concrete and measurable actions.
OHCHR Sudan team listens to Sudanese women in Khartoum.
UN News: This is not the first time Sudan has witnessed such human rights violations, with many attributing it to decades of impunity. What concrete actions should the international community take to finally break this vicious cycle of impunity?
Li Fung: Impunity fuels persistent cycles of violence and violations. Concrete measures can be taken, including supporting all efforts to seek accountability, supporting fact-finding, monitoring and documentation, which will lead to accountability processes that truly require the protection of civilians and investigation.
It is also key to include accountability in the path to peace for Sudan, as well as advocating for the inclusion of all voices of Sudanese people across the country, to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future for Sudan.
UN News: Finally, is there any light at the end of the tunnel regarding the human rights situation?
Li Fung: Yes, despite the immense suffering we see and the magnitude of violations we continue to document, there is light, and it comes first and foremost from the Sudanese people themselves.
Despite enormous challenges, Sudanese human rights defenders, local humanitarian volunteers and community groups and networks continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and perseverance.
Their resilience and efforts to support their own communities underscore the urgent need for sustained international detention, stronger protection measures and unimpeded humanitarian access. Their determination, even in cities frightened by conflict, is a powerful reminder that the foundations of a just and sustained future still exist.
I think there is also hope in the renewed attention to the situation in Sudan. It is unfortunate that, despite many warnings about the risks of widespread atrocities and violations, it was only when this occurred that international attention began to be paid to Sudan. But now we must seize this moment. We will continue to support the people of Sudan.