Geneva: On the sidelines of his participation in the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Attorney General Al-Fatih Mohamed Issa Tayfour met with the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, Ms. Reem Al-Salim, to discuss its causes and consequences. The meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation and coordination between the two parties.
According to Sudan News Agency, the Attorney General affirmed Sudan’s commitment to engaging with human rights mechanisms, particularly those concerned with the rights of women and girls. He outlined the efforts of the National Committee, the Public Prosecution, and the judicial authorities in achieving justice, the rule of law, accountability, and combating impunity, especially concerning violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Attorney General highlighted the atrocities committed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, including violations against women and girls. He discussed the measures taken and the reports received on these violations. He indicated that there was sufficient evidence of the RSF militia using sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon for terrorism, displacement, and genocide. These acts include various forms of sexual violence such as individual and gang rape, sexual slavery, kidnapping, and trafficking.
Tayfour emphasized the commitment of the Public Prosecution and the National Investigation Committee to cooperate with civil society, focusing on raising awareness and encouraging victims to report violations. He praised the psychological and therapeutic support provided by the government, non-governmental organizations, and the business sector to victims of sexual violence.
The Attorney General reviewed the exceptional measures taken by the Public Prosecution to facilitate reporting, such as not being bound by territorial jurisdiction in filing criminal cases and abolishing the requirement for a criminal form. Medical reports have been adopted in cases of sexual violence, with procedures initiated by female members of the prosecution and police.
Additionally, the Attorney General met with the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Committee on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. He briefed her on the efforts of the Public Prosecution and the National Investigation Committee and presented a copy of the third interim report, which included information on 14,506 cases of enforced disappearances. He noted the increase in reports from citizens following the expulsion of the militia from Khartoum, Al-Gezira, and Sennar.
His Excellency reported the discovery of 965 mass graves in areas retaken from the rebel militia, indicating significant violations, including extrajudicial killings and deaths from torture and cruel treatment in detention centers. The two parties agreed to continue cooperation and coordination.