In brief
The deputy prosecutor of the ICC highlights grave humanitarian violations, including systemic sexual violence and food deprivation, in a report to the UN Security Council regarding the ongoing civil war in Sudan's Darfur region.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) revealed on July 11, 2025, that it has "reasonable grounds" to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are occurring in Sudan's troubled western Darfur region. This announcement comes as the civil war in Sudan continues to escalate, resulting in severe humanitarian crises.Nazhat Shameem Khan, the ICC's deputy prosecutor, delivered a report to the United Nations Security Council, where she described the catastrophic humanitarian situation. "People are being deprived of water and food. Rape and sexual violence are being weaponized. Abductions for ransom or to bolster the ranks of armed groups have become common practice," she stated.Among the troubling findings, Khan emphasized that there is an "inescapable pattern" of violence targeting women and girls based on gender and ethnicity. Although she did not specify the perpetrators, both factions involved in the civil conflict have faced accusations of atrocities from US officials, the UN, and various human rights organizations.The ICC's determination of ongoing war crimes follows the analysis of around 7,000 pieces of evidence, which includes testimonies from victims. Investigators have conducted multiple visits to interview survivors in refugee camps situated in neighboring Chad, where many Darfurians have sought refuge.Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, exacerbating a situation marked by widespread famine and unrelenting violence.
