المنــظمة السـودانـية لحـقـوق الإنـسان
Sudan Human Rights Organisation
Date: 28/01/04
[email protected] Stop human rights violations in Darfur
Press release
The peace negotiations in Nivasha, Kenya between the government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) have stopped for Eid; the talks will resume on the 17th of February to complete the final phases of negotiations which have been conducted in an atmosphere of hope and optimism. However, whether this non-inclusive agreement will generate a lasting peace is highly doubted by the Sudanese Human Rights Organisation (SHRO). Since there are unresolved conflicts elsewhere in the country which to date do not form part of this negotiation, this peace agreement falls short of achieving its main objective: a fair and lasting peace for all the people of the Sudan.
As the Government of Sudan escalated the military operation against the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army in the western part of the country, we have received information that on Jan 26, 2004, the government army and the allied Arab militia - the Janjaweed – looted and burned the following villages in Bowa area, about 10km north of Kuttum town in Northern Darfur State.
The villages are:
1. Kanfa
2. Jongo
3. Mirindi
4. Kursi
5. Telego
6. Abu Ja’ab
7. Hilat Qarad
8. Frangna
9. Mayno
10. Mayno Janoob
11. Mayno Wasat
12. Tormaise
13. Najeelah Boose
14. Hilat Koori
15. Hilat Mulagat
16. Hilat Karkara
17. Hilat Baidah
The villagers, who are black Africans - mainly from Fur, Tunjur, Zaghawa and Berti tribes - are left on open areas with no shelter, directly exposed to the sun during the day, and suffering from chilled winter temperatures at night. Additionally, we have been informed that the Janjaweed are not allowing the villagers to take refuge in the town, where they have relatives and they can receive aid. These actions are causing catastrophic consequences; those concerned are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
According to our source, since this area is very close to Kuttum town, the rebels have no control over it.
Additionally, the refugees’ situation in Furnong, Sheka, and Fork areas is worsening day by day. No aid agency has been reported able to deliver any kind of assistance to them since 20th Jan 2004, when their villages were looted and burnt by the Janjaweed militias.
The government of Sudan considers the ethnic groups mentioned above - including the Massalit tribe - as a potential rebel supporters. Since the outset of rebellion in March 2003, the government has widely and consistently targeted areas populated by its black African citizens in Western, Southern and Northern Darfur States. This has caused thousands to flee their homes to seek refuge in the neighbouring Chad; thousands of others have become internally displaced.
The urgent attention of the international community is needed to put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur. To this end, please contact the following officials without delay to demand that this situation should cease.
His Excellency Ambassador
Dr. H. Abdein
CLEVELAND ROW
LONDON
SW1A 1DD
Fax: 0207 839 7560
His Excellency
Mustpha Osman Ismael
MINISTER
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Po Box: 873
KHARTOUM
SUDAN
Fax: (0024911) 779 383
His Excellency
Adv. Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
MINISTER
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
KHARTOUM
SUDAN
KHARTOUM
SUDAN
Fax: ( 0024911) 788 941
Adv Yasir Sid-Ahmed
ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Po. Box: 302
KHARTOUM
SUDAN
Fax: (0024911) 779 173
His Excellency,
Lieutenant General, Omar Hassan Al-Bsheer
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN
REPUBLIC’S PALACE,
Po. Box: 281
KHARTOUM
SUDAN
Fax: (0024911) 783 223
المنــظمة السـودانـية لحـقـوق الإنـسان
Sudan Human Rights Organization
146-154 Kilburn High Road
London NW6 4JD
Telephone: + 44 207 3287251 Extension: 311
Fax: + 44 207 62 45002
Email:
[email protected]