Geneva, The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed grave concerns over the treatment of migrants in Tunisia and the escalating violence in El-Fasher, Sudan, as tensions and human rights abuses intensify in both regions. Türk has called on authorities and leaders to uphold international human rights standards and address these urgent crises.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Tunisia, there has been an increase in targeting migrants from south of the Sahara and those assisting them, accompanied by a rise in dehumanizing and racist rhetoric against Black migrants and Black Tunisians. The UN has documented arbitrary arrests and detentions of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists who criticize the Tunisian government’s policies. Recent raids on the Tunisia Bar Association have further undermined the rule of law and violated international standards protecting lawyers’ independence.

Türk urged Tunisian authorities to respect and protect freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He emphasized the need for the rule of law to be upheld, for the release of those arbitrarily detained, and for the protection of all migrants against xenophobic hate speech.

In Sudan, the situation is dire as well, with ongoing conflicts in El-Fasher, Darfur, worsening already severe humanitarian conditions. The High Commissioner reported at least 58 civilians killed and 213 injured in recent fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, along with their respective allies. The hostilities have placed over 1.8 million residents and internally displaced persons at imminent risk of famine and have the potential to deepen intercommunal conflicts with catastrophic humanitarian consequences.

Türk has engaged directly with Lt-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Commander of the Rapid Support Forces. He urged both leaders to de-escalate the situation, cease hostilities, protect civilians, and resume ceasefire negotiations. He stressed the importance of their compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution under international humanitarian law and their responsibility to ensure accountability for any violations.

These discussions reflect ongoing international efforts to mitigate human rights violations and address the humanitarian needs in both Tunisia and Sudan, as the regions face significant challenges in governance and security.