Each year, on March 24, the world marks the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. For the Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR), this day is more than symbolic. It is a call to action. It reminds us of the urgency of our work and the responsibility we carry to ensure that the truth is not buried beneath the silence of war.
What Is the Right to the Truth?
The right to the truth is a fundamental human right. It ensures that victims and the public can access full and factual information about gross human rights violations and serious breaches of international humanitarian law. This includes understanding what happened, why it happened, and who is responsible.
Truth-telling is not only about facts. It is about restoring dignity to survivors and victims. It is about laying the foundation for justice and reconciliation.
Why This Day Matters for Sudan
Since the war broke out in Sudan in April 2023, civilians have endured immense suffering. Entire towns have been destroyed. Communities have been displaced. Lives have been lost, often without any official record. In many cases, the world only knows what happened because someone was brave enough to speak out.
As of March 2025, DNHR has documented:
- 4,012 civilian deaths
- 453 cases of gender-based violence
These figures reflect only what our monitors have been able to verify. The true toll is undoubtedly higher, hidden in areas we cannot access and in testimonies that remain untold.
From the shelling of homes in El-Obeid to mass displacement in Darfur, and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, the violations are widespread and deliberate. Despite the danger, survivors continue to speak. And DNHR continues to listen, document, and demand justice.
DNHR’s Role in Protecting the Right to Truth
The Darfur Network for Human Rights was founded on the belief that truth is the first step toward justice. Our team works daily to:
- Document human rights violations in conflict zones
- Collect and preserve testimonies from survivors
- Monitor patterns of abuse, displacement, and violence
- Advocate for justice through reports, partnerships, and public engagement
We believe no victim should be forgotten. No crime should go unaccounted for.
Our Call to the International Community
We call on the international community to:
- Recognize the atrocities occurring in Sudan and support independent documentation
- Pressure all parties involved to allow humanitarian access and end attacks on civilians
- Ensure that truth, justice, and reparations are central to any peace process
In Memory, In Resistance
On this day, we remember not just numbers but the lives behind them. We remember the child killed on the way home from school, the women who carry the scars of violence. We remember the families searching for their loved ones. And we honor the witnesses who risk everything to bring the truth to light.