Venue: Fairway Hotel, Kampala, Uganda
A significant report examining Identity- and colour-based violence in Sudan, with allegations implicating the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Islamist battalions, was officially launched at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. The event brought together stakeholders, human rights advocates, researchers, civil society representatives and members of the Sudanese community to reflect on the growing concerns surrounding identity-based persecution, discrimination and violence in the ongoing Sudanese conflict.
The report was presented as an important contribution to ongoing efforts to document and raise awareness about the human rights situation in Sudan, particularly the experiences of communities allegedly targeted on the basis of their ethnic identity, skin colour and perceived social or regional affiliations. It examines patterns of violence and discrimination attributed to armed actors, including elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Islamist battalions, highlighting the need for independent investigations, credible documentation and accountability for violations committed against civilian populations.
The launch was organised through a collaboration involving the Support Organization, the Kanabi Conference and the London-based Center for the Study of Truth and Knowledge. The partnership reflects the importance of bringing together organisations and institutions working on human rights documentation, research, advocacy and the promotion of truth in addressing the complex dimensions of the Sudanese conflict.
Discussions surrounding the report underscored the devastating consequences of identity-based violence on affected communities. Beyond the immediate loss of lives and physical injuries, such violations contribute to forced displacement, family separation, destruction of livelihoods, social fragmentation and long-term psychological trauma. Participants recognised that when violence is driven or reinforced by ethnic, racial or identity-based hostility, its consequences extend beyond individual victims, threatening the foundations of peaceful coexistence and national unity.
The event also highlighted the importance of ensuring that victims and survivors are given opportunities to tell their stories and have their experiences recognised. Participants emphasised that documenting violations is not merely an exercise in recording past events, but an essential step towards preserving evidence, informing advocacy initiatives, supporting justice processes and preventing further abuses. Independent investigations and the protection of witnesses and human rights defenders were identified as important considerations in pursuing accountability.
The launch comes at a critical time when Sudan continues to experience a devastating conflict that has resulted in widespread civilian suffering and one of the world’s most serious displacement and humanitarian crises. The report therefore provides an opportunity to strengthen public understanding of the less visible dimensions of the conflict, particularly the role that identity, race and colour may play in shaping patterns of violence and victimisation.
Ultimately, the gathering at Fairway Hotel served as a platform for reflection, awareness and renewed commitment to addressing human rights violations in Sudan. It reinforced the need for collective action by civil society organisations, international institutions, researchers and human rights advocates to ensure that allegations of abuses are independently investigated, victims are heard, and those responsible are held accountable in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law.
The central message emerging from the launch was that justice, accountability and lasting peace in Sudan cannot be achieved without confronting identity-based violence, recognising victims’ experiences and ensuring equal protection and dignity for all communities.
