Arabic version: مجموعة حقوقية تدق ناقوس الخطر بشأن النساء المحتجزات في نيالا

According to Allafrica, the Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) has expressed serious concern about women detained in Nyala, South Darfur State, including activists and women human rights defenders. The group said reports indicate that large numbers of women remain in detention.

DNHR said information and statistics it has received put the cumulative number of women detained and imprisoned in Nyala at approximately 1,371 since the Rapid Support Forces took control of the city and large parts of Darfur. It said it is continuing to verify the figure, the reasons and circumstances of detention, and the status of women who may still be in custody.

The organisation also reported that some detained women were pregnant and that some gave birth in detention. It said these reports raised concerns over access to healthcare for pregnant women, mothers and newborns, as well as whether detention conditions meet international human rights standards.

DNHR said RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, reportedly ordered the release of all women held at a detention facility in Nyala during a visit. Authorities reportedly released 196 women, each receiving USD 1,000. DNHR welcomed the releases but said financial assistance must not replace rights to truth, justice, accountability and reparation.

The group called on the RSF and de facto authorities to release women arbitrarily detained, disclose detainees’ identities, locations and legal status, and allow access for families, lawyers and independent humanitarian and human rights actors. It also urged investigations into alleged torture, ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, and called on the United Nations, African Union and relevant rights mechanisms to press for independent monitoring of detention sites.