Atrocity risks rise with gang attacks in Haiti and conflict in Sudan; UN HRC urges global action
Haiti and Sudan are witnessing escalating violence with civilians increasingly at risk of mass atrocities, according to the latest Atrocity Alert from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.
In Haiti’s Artibonite region, coordinated attacks by the Gran Grif gang killed at least 70 people, with dozens missing. The gang stormed Jean-Denis and nearby towns, opening fire and burning homes. Roads were reportedly blocked to prevent police intervention. The ongoing violence has trapped communities and intensified attacks on civilians, with self-defense groups and private military actors contributing to further risks. Reports indicate over 3,300 people killed and 1,691 injured in anti-gang operations since March 2025, including 60 civilians killed by private military strikes.
In Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to battle for territorial control as the conflict nears its third anniversary. Recent assaults in Dilling, South Kordofan, killed 14 civilians, including children, while drone strikes on El-Daein Hospital in East Darfur killed 70 people. The World Health Organization warns of repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure and hospitals, highlighting ongoing atrocity risks.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) concluded its 61st session, focusing on global atrocity situations including Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, and Haiti. The HRC renewed investigative mandates and emphasized genocide prevention, with calls for all parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Experts stress that coordinated international action is essential to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities. Savita Pawnday, Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, noted that the Sudan case demonstrates that political will can translate into concrete follow-up action, underscoring the importance of a rules-based human rights system.
Source: Globalr2p