Statement by Minister Tvinnereim on condemning sexual violence in Sudan

‘Norway condemns the widespread use of violence against civilians in Sudan, both by Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and their affiliated groups. This is now well documented in the recent report from the UN mandated Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan. The escalation of fighting in al Jazirah state in October is a blatant disregard for human life and the rules of war,’ says Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim, Minister for International Development.

‘I am particularly appalled by the reports of widespread use of sexual violence by the RSF and its allied forces, mainly against women and girls. This is unacceptable. It repeats the pattern of sexual violence that has been widely used as a method of war since the conflict started. It has been duly documented by the Independent Fact-Finding Mission,’ says Tvinnereim.  

‘Sexual violence has devastating effects for individual survivors, their families and communities as a whole. It risks undermining the social cohesion in Sudan for generations. It is also a clear violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and a violation of the Jeddah Declaration that both RSF and Sudan Armed Forces have signed. This violence must stop. Both RSF and SAF must do more to protect civilians against sexual violence and allow and facilitate access to humanitarian aid, including necessary medical services and psychosocial support. Perpetrators must be held accountable,’ says Tvinnereim.