Reports that Sudanese security agents have used live ammunition and tear gas against anti-Government protesters gathering at hospitals in the capital Khartoum are “deeply worrying”, the UN’s top human rights official, Michelle Bachelet, said on Thursday. 

According to the Government, 24 people are reported to have died in demonstrations across the country which began almost a month ago, although the High Commissioner says that the official toll “may be nearly twice as high”.

In an interview with Daniel Johnson from UN News, Ravina Shamdasani from the UN human rights office (OHCHR) noted the rights chief’s assertion that “a repressive response can only worsen grievances” against poor governance, food and fuel shortages.