No. H.K/UA/01/018
24th January 2018
URGENT ACTION
RAPING OF A WOMAN IN UM-BRAMBETA, SUDAN
On 14th January 2018, S. K was raped by two members of Popular Defense Forces
(PDF) in Um-Brembita/ Sudan. The victim reported the case at Um-Brambeta police
but the police did not carry out investigations or arrest the perpetrators.
Mrs. S.K is 50 years old, married and a farmer who resides in Hadaba village
near Um-Brambeta town of South Kordufan. On 14th January 2017, S. K was in her
garden one kilometer (1km) away from her village harvesting corn/maize. As she
was working, three armed men dressed in PDF uniform came closer, blocked and
threatened her. Without delay, two of the soldiers started to rape her in turns
while the third one observed and guarded them. S.K reported what happened to
her at Um-Brambeta police. The police gave her “form eight (8)” to enable her
undergo a medical check-up of which she did. S.K returned to Police with the
medical report confirming that she was raped. Then police opened the case even
without going to the scene of crime. The victim proved that given chance, she
can recognize the perpetrators in order to help with investigations. But, the
police told her to go and comeback after one month. HUDO is very concerned
about the situation of women in SK State and the escape of perpetrators in such
cases. Also the poor cooperation of police is an issue. HUDO calls upon;
· Sudan government to carry
out genuine investigations and apprehend the perpetrators.
· Embassies in Sudan to put
more pressure on Sudan government to uphold the rule of law
· Sudan government to end
the impunity of its militias. HUDO Centre 2 More information HUDO centre
regularly receives reports about rape cases committed by members of security
agencies in South Kordufan. Generally, police opens such cases as “anonymous
perpetrators”. Other victims are not given chance to open a case though the
perpetrators are known and protected. The following are some cases that were
reported:
· On 3rd January 2016, F.
M, 17 years old, student, was raped by three soldiers from RSF on gun point in
Al-Abbasiya. The police did not record (open) the case.
· On 31st January 2016, M.
A. E, 43 years old was raped on gun pointing by four armed soldiers from RSF.
The police refused to file the case and confiscated her cellphone and prevented
her from leaving Al Abbasiya town.
· On 21st March 2016, U. D.
K, 11 years old and paralyzed (walking disability) girl was raped at Talodi
town by two soldiers from reserve police, they were seen by her mother while
they were escaping. The case was opened at Talodi police office against
anonymous perpetrator. There were no further investigations.
· On 16th September 2016,
A. G .N 24 years old and R. G. N 18 years old were raped in Talodi town by two
Policemen from the Criminal Investigation Unit. The case was opened at Talodi
police office against other two men who were not even at the scene crime.