Sudan Detention Abuse Allegations Put Human Rights and Legal Safeguards in Focus
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The Arab Post
- . October 2, 2026
- . Update: October 2, 2026 4:21 pm
Concerns are mounting on the treatment of civilians being detained arbitrarily, beaten and denied legal protections, Sudan Detention Abuse Allegations, in Sudan amid the ongoing conflict. An April 7, 2026 Human Rights Watch report reported on alleged abuses by SAF-affiliated forces in Gezira State and other SAF-controlled areas.
The conclusions indicate issues with detention practices, the availability of lawyers, medical care and judicial oversight, and the need for independent investigations when abuse allegations arise.
Former Detainees Describe Alleged Mistreatment
According to Human Rights Watch, researchers interviewed 28 people between June 2025 and February 2026, including former detainees, relatives, lawyers, activists and a member of the security forces.
Alleged torture, physical abuse, lack of food, lack of medical treatment and improper detention without any meaningful contact with family or lawyers were mentioned by interviewees. The organisation also reported two deaths in custody and requested investigations in cases where there may have been mistreatment.
The findings point to the need of conducting individual inspections of detention conditions, especially if there is a credible allegation of serious injuries, malnutrition and overcrowding or the absence of basic health care. Photographs, videos and witness accounts can be a part of such investigations, if they are shown to be authentic, understood as such and discovered in the right context.
Gezira State and Allegations of Arbitrary Detention
Gezira State is one of the areas studied in the investigation. Since April 2023, civilians have been detained on the suspicion of working with another armed group, the Rapid Support Forces, which is in opposition to the SAF, according to Human Rights Watch.
The report notes that it is possible that some were targeted due to their perceived political affiliation, ethnic group or their humanitarian activities or because of where they lived, being in an area previously occupied by the RSF. It also references claims of detaining people in unofficial locations or moving them from one security service to another making it difficult for relatives to find out what happened to them.
These charges highlight the importance of case specific investigations, using reliable testimony, medical documentation, the documentation of detention and other independently verifiable documentation.
Authorities Dispute Several Allegations – Sudan Detention Abuse Allegations
Some of the findings of the investigation have been disputed by the Sudanese authorities. The attorney general also denied, based on Human Rights Watch accounts, that the incidents were cases of arbitrary arrest or custodial killing, except in one case where criminal proceedings are said to be underway.
The attorney general also denied claims of civilians being detained in unofficial facilities, saying these detentions are “in lawful police or prison under the control of legal authorities”. The responses should relate to the accounts gathered by independent researchers.
Legal Protections and Accountability
Torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary deprivation of liberty are forbidden by Int’l human rights and humanitarian law. Depending on the context and the evidence some violations can be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity.
HRW has urged the Sudanese government to rectify practices of unlawful detention, investigate claims of abuse, allow independent monitors, and guarantee detainees legal protections.
Detention facilities that are not dependent upon government controls, clear judicial processes and protection of witnesses might aid in determining the circumstances of each case. Protecting detainees and holding accountable those who have been proven responsible for any contravention of the rules continue to be of significance in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
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