Rights group says sexual violence is rampant in Sudan's conflict, calls for international protection
Human Rights Watch is accusing the paramilitary group fighting against the military in Sudan’s civil war of rampant sexual violence against women, including gang rape and forced marriages of girls
CAIRO (AP) — Human Rights Watch on Monday accused the paramilitary group fighting against the military in Sudan's civil war of rampant sexual violence against women, including gang rape and forced marriages of girls. The international rights group also accused the military of sexual violence.
The group, in a report released Monday, called for the United Nations and the African Union to establish a joint mission to protect civilians in Sudan as more than 15 months of fighting between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces show no signs of abating.
“The Rapid Support Forces have raped, gang raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital,” said Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
The group accused both warring parties of blocking survivors’ access to critical emergency care, and said the military has “willfully restricted” shipments of humanitarian supplies to RSF-controlled areas, including medical supplies and aid workers since October last year.
