UN rights chief warns of possible atrocities in Sudan’s Kordofan
Speaking in Geneva, Turk highlighted that violence across Sudan—from Darfur and the Kordofans to Khartoum and Omdurman—has affected countless civilians. He described the situation in El-Fasher as involving war crimes and potential crimes against humanity, with ethnically motivated violence playing a role. The Kordofan states—North, West, and South—have experienced weeks of heavy fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), forcing tens of thousands to flee.
Turk also raised concerns over Gaza, where civilian casualties continue despite an October ceasefire. He reported over 350 attacks recorded since the ceasefire, killing at least 121 Palestinians, including women and children, with hundreds more injured. He stressed that attacks are ongoing near the so-called “yellow line,” targeting residential areas, IDP shelters, and other civilian infrastructure, while access to essential services remains severely limited.
Turk urged all parties to respect the ceasefire and criticized attempts to redefine borders in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.
Highlighting a broader trend, Turk warned of a year of “dangerous contradictions” for human rights, citing severe underfunding that has cut around $90 million from his office’s budget this year. This has resulted in job losses, reduced monitoring, and fewer treaty-body reviews. He contrasted this decline with growing financial support for anti-rights groups and the arms industry, emphasizing a stark imbalance in global priorities.
Turk drew attention to Ukraine, noting that civilian casualties in 2025 are 24% higher than last year, primarily due to Russia’s use of long-range weapons and large-scale attacks on the energy system, which have disrupted electricity, water, and heating. He called for urgent measures, including prisoner exchanges and the release of civilian detainees.
The UN rights chief also urged states to counter rising xenophobia, hate speech, and illegal treatment of migrants and refugees. He emphasized the need for evidence-based, rights-focused policies anchored in international human rights and refugee law. Turk also warned that Myanmar’s military-imposed election could further escalate insecurity and polarization within the country.
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