{"id":20130639,"date":"2026-04-08T20:03:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20130639"},"modified":"2026-04-08T20:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:05:17","slug":"hrw-report-sudan-army-accused-of-arbitrary-detention-torture-ethnic-targeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/hrw-report-sudan-army-accused-of-arbitrary-detention-torture-ethnic-targeting","title":{"rendered":"HRW: ‘Sudan army detains, tortures civilians in ethnic targeting campaign’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday, the group said Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)-affiliated security and military forces have arbitrarily detained, tortured and ill-treated civilians in areas under their control, in violations that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the HRW report<\/a>, they state civilians were detained on suspicion of collaborating with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), particularly in areas retaken by the SAF, often\u00a0based on ethnicity<\/a>, perceived political affiliation, or humanitarian work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It warned that unlawful detention, ill-treatment and torture \u201cmay constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Sudanese Armed Forces and its allies have led a campaign of fear and retaliation against people they label collaborators\u2026 because of their identity, humanitarian work, or political activity,\u201d Mohamed Osman, Sudan researcher at HRW, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Deaths in custody and disappearances\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HRW said detainees were held incommunicado, with families denied information and, in some cases, forcibly disappeared. It also documented at least two deaths in custody linked to torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey came into the house and started beating him badly\u2026 \u2018your brother is not coming back,\u2019\u201d the brother of a 25-year-old man\u00a0forcibly disappeared<\/a>\u00a0in February 2026 said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between June 2025 and February 2026, HRW\u00a0documented abuses<\/a>\u00a0in various states including Khartoum, El Gezira, El Gedaref, Red Sea State and Northern State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witnesses said \u201csecurity cells\u201d involving Military Intelligence, General Intelligence and the\u00a0newly-sanctioned El Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade<\/a>\u00a0as being those responsible for carrying out arrests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A police officer said a woman\u00a0accused of RSF links<\/a>\u00a0was dragged from her home and beaten, \u201cbrought her out half naked, beating her, slapping her,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Women detained, some sentenced to death\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HRW said hundreds of women were detained over alleged RSF collaboration, with at least 25 sentenced to death. Despite the release of around 400 women ordered by Sovereignty Council President and Commander-in-chief of the SAF Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, many remain held without due process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI felt so degraded, as if I was not a human anymore,\u201d a detained woman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Attorney General rejected most allegations but confirmed one ongoing case linked to a death in custody. HRW called for releases and independent access to detention sites.<\/p>\n