UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Presents Report on the Situation in Sudan after three years of conflict
On February 13, 2026, the Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the human rights situation in Sudan was published. The report presented to the Human Rights Council, covering the period from November 16, 2024, to November 15, 2025, outlines a dramatic situation in Sudan, where the conflict is approaching the end of its third year, transforming into a deeply fragmented war characterized by ethnic tensions. The mobilization of civilians along tribal and ethnic lines, combined with the massive influx of weapons into the country, has significantly intensified hostilities, deepened social divisions, and undermined prospects for peace.
After nearly three years of incessant conflict, Sudan finds itself at a critical juncture. The cumulative impact on civilians has been catastrophic, characterized by widespread loss of life, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services. The conflict has been marked by grave violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, committed in a climate of widespread impunity. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, the use of siege tactics, and the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure have aggravated the suffering of millions of people and compromised prospects for recovery.
The fragmentation of territorial control and the increase in ethnically motivated violence signal a dangerous trajectory, not only for Sudan's unity but also for the stability of the entire region, with growing regional tensions and cross-border displacement. The persistent lack of accountability represents a key factor in igniting and sustaining the conflict, and bringing all perpetrators to justice, regardless of their rank or affiliation, is essential to breaking the entrenched cycles of violence and impunity.
In the report, the High Commissioner appeals to the parties to the conflict to cooperate and engage in inclusive peace negotiations to achieve an immediate cessation of hostilities, fully respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, adopt specific measures for the protection of civilians, including the issuance of strict command orders to end conflict-related sexual violence, and investigate, prevent, and punish violations of international law. The parties must also end all practices of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, release all arbitrarily detained persons, cease all attacks, threats, and harassment against civil society representatives and media members, stop attacks against civilian objects and infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, water systems, and electrical networks that sustain civilian life, and ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of large-scale humanitarian aid.
The High Commissioner urges Sudanese authorities to prioritize restoring basic services, protecting civilians, investigating violations, abolishing death penalty use, ensuring access to gender-based violence services, facilitating humanitarian work, and safeguarding civic space for civil society and journalists.
The international community should intensify efforts toward ceasefire, establish a unified roadmap prioritizing human rights and accountability, support inclusive dialogue—especially including women and youth—for civilian-led governance, prevent international law violations, resource local civil society, sustain humanitarian operations in Sudan and neighboring countries, and encourage cooperation with the independent fact-finding mission to advance peace and reconciliation.
The report underscores the urgency of coordinated international action to end one of the most severe humanitarian crises of our time, highlighting how the parties to the conflict have failed to uphold their expressed commitments to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The situation requires immediate and decisive intervention by all actors involved to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to initiate a lasting peace process that can restore stability and dignity to the Sudanese population.