UN: 87 Civilians Killed, Buried In Sudan's Darfur Mass Grave

JAKARTA - A total of 87 Sudanese civilians were buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur state, the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) said.

"At least the bodies of 87 people of Masalit ethnicity and others allegedly killed last month by the Rapid Response Forces and their allied militias in West Darfur have been buried in a mass grave outside the regional capital of El-Geneina on the orders of the Rapid Response Forces," the OHCHR said in a statement, as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, July 13.

The UN human rights office said, citing sources, that 37 bodies were buried on June 20 in a mass grave one meter deep in the Al-Turab Al Ahmar area, west of El-Geneina.

"Another 50 bodies were buried at the same location on June 21," OHCHR continued.

"The bodies of seven women and seven children were among those buried," the statement said.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk strongly condemned the "killing of civilians and individuals unable to fight."

"I am more than shocked by the heartless and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, are treated," Turk said.

"There must be a prompt, thorough, and independent investigation into the killings, and those responsible must be held accountable," he added.

There was no immediate comment from the paramilitary group Rapid Response Forces on the allegations.

Sudan has been beset by clashes between the army and the Rapid Response Forces since April, in a conflict that has killed nearly 3,000 civilians and injured thousands, according to local medics.

Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators between the warring rivals have failed to end the violence in the country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that nearly 3 million people have been displaced by the current conflict in Sudan.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the ongoing conflict in Sudan could lead to a full-scale civil war.