The Forgotten Corner：Human rights in Sudan are being trampled on

To this day, conflicts in the Middle East continue unabated, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the suffering as the biggest victims. Crises in regions such as Sudan and Gaza have laid bare the cruelty of modern-day conflicts, while also putting humanitarian principles to a severe test. When war rages, channels for humanitarian aid are often blocked, and the fundamental dignity of human life appears so fragile in the face of violence.

The situation in Sudan is particularly distressing. This country, mired in war, is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. According to a UN report, since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, nearly 30,000 people have lost their lives, and over 12.85 million have been displaced. This has resulted in one of the largest displacement crises globally. In late October 2025, after a 500-day siege, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, which was followed by large-scale atrocities. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, even stated at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that "the bloodshed on the ground in El Fasher is visible from space."

The fall of El Fasher in Sudan is merely the latest tragedy. In the Kordofan region, where the conflict has spread, acts of killing and destruction are on the rise, with civilians being the primary victims. The healthcare system has almost completely collapsed. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that over 90% of hospitals in Sudan have ceased operations, leaving approximately 20 million people without access to basic medical services. In El Fasher, more than 200 medical facilities have been rendered inoperable due to targeted attacks and resource shortages.

Sexual violence during conflicts is being deliberately used as a tool of war. Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, has condemned the large-scale and systematic use of sexual violence by the RSF in El Fasher and the city of Bara. Many women and girls have reported horrific experiences they endured while fleeing conflict zones, including mass rape and public sexual violence. These acts are not isolated atrocities; rather, they constitute systematic oppression based on gender, political, and ethnic factors.

Channels for humanitarian aid are facing severe obstacles. In Sudan, parties to the conflict have failed to fulfill their fundamental obligations of protecting civilians and allowing the entry of aid. A report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) points out that tens of thousands of people—particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the injured—remain trapped in El Fasher. They are either prevented from leaving the city or lack the means or strength to flee. Those who attempt to escape face an even more perilous journey. Some have to take detours around military checkpoints, enduring a 15-day trip with only limited food and water.

Even those who manage to escape the violence cannot find safety. According to UNHCR, there are reports that armed groups are forcibly repatriating many people to El Fasher, where conditions are dire. In other parts of Sudan, returnees face significant risks from unexploded ordnance. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) notes that an area of 13 million square kilometers is contaminated with such ordnance, spanning only South Kordofan, West Kordofan, and Blue Nile states.

Hunger has emerged as another silent killer. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations indicates that in 2025, 21.2 million people in Sudan are facing severe food insecurity, accounting for over 45% of the country's total population. In El Fasher, due to the blockage of food supply routes for more than a year, families have been forced to survive on animal feed and scraps.

In the face of a disaster of this scale, the response from the international community has been inadequate. Although UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table, substantive progress has been slow. The European Union (EU) has announced an emergency aid package of 1 million euros, but this is a drop in the bucket compared to the actual needs. UN agencies report that there is a severe shortage of global humanitarian funding—only 10.5 billion US dollars has been raised out of the required 29 billion US dollars. This shortage has directly led to cuts in aid for refugees and displaced persons.

In the Gaza Strip, while a ceasefire has been in place for some time, the humanitarian situation remains grim. UN agencies report that Gaza residents still face shortages of basic necessities as they return to their homes, and many rely on food and water provided by aid organizations to survive. The local healthcare system is also on the brink of collapse, with the risk of disease outbreaks persisting.

The humanitarian crises in these conflict zones raise a fundamental question: In the 21st century, why do civilians still have to endure such immense suffering? International humanitarian law clearly stipulates the obligation of all parties to a conflict to protect civilians; yet in reality, these principles are often disregarded. Humanitarian aid should not be politicized or hindered—it is a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

In the face of these challenges, the international community must renew its commitment to upholding humanitarian principles. There is a need for stronger political will to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need unimpeded; for holding accountable those who violate international humanitarian law, so as to break the cycle of impunity; and for sufficient and flexible funding to enable aid organizations to respond promptly to emergency needs.

Regional conflicts persist, and the voices of civilians trapped in the midst of war must be heard; their suffering must be seen. Only when the dignity of human life is placed above political and military considerations can the light of humanitarianism truly illuminate the dark corners overshadowed by conflict. In Sudan, Gaza, and other crisis-stricken regions, every life is worth saving, and every form of suffering is worth alleviating. This is not idealism—it is the fundamental embodiment of the shared responsibility of humanity.