The release of a UN report today highlighting
serious violations of human rights in Darfur underlines the need for urgent
action according to Trócaire, the Catholic Agency for World Development.
All parties must keep to the ceasefire agreements they have signed,
and more Africa Union troops are urgently needed on the ground. The UN
Security Council should act now to send a clear signal
that the killing must stop.
The report by a panel of experts says there have been widespread and systematic abuses by Sudanese Government forces and their militia, the Janjaweed, and that their attacks have targeted civilians. It also says the rebels are responsible for serious violations of International Humanitarian laws. Attacks reported by the UN and African Union in recent days include the bombing of a village by Government aircraft last Wednesday in which about one hundred civilians are said to have been killed.
"While the world has understandably been focused on the aftermath of the tsunami in Asia, things in Darfur have in many ways been getting worse. The number of people who have been displaced has doubled since early last year, and now stands at nearly two million," said Trócaire's Director Justin Kilcullen.
"Ceasefire violations by all parties have caused more people to flee their homes, with numbers in the camps continuing to grow. Although many lives have been saved by the huge relief effort, hunger and disease are still taking their toll. The continuing attacks have forced some humanitarian agencies to cut back their activities or even pull out altogether." He continued.
Mr Kilcullen concluded: "Whatever name we give to the appalling situation in Darfur, it still demands urgent action. The ceasefire should be respected, militias brought under control, and people allowed to return to their homes voluntarily and in safety. The extra troops which the African Union promised last October should also be sent to Darfur as soon possible, as less than half of them have arrived."
The UN Security Council must send a clear signal to all the parties that they should comply with the ceasefires they have already signed up to and rein in their forces.
Humanitarian organisations have faced increased harassment, as has been noted by the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Sudan, Jan Pronk. Their staff and convoys have also been attacked, particularly by some of the rebel groups in Darfur. The chairperson of one of the organisations which carries out relief work for Trócaire is among latest humanitarian worker to be arrested by the Sudanese authorities. Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam of SUDO (Sudan Social Development Organisation), who is also a human rights activist, was detained at his family home on Monday of last week.
"Part of problem in Darfur has been impunity for those carrying out the gross violations of human rights, which have been highlighted in numerous UN reports. The peace deal between North and South Sudan after 21 years of war, which was signed earlier this month, is welcome, but the situation in Darfur must also be addressed." Said Mr Kilcullen.
Trócaire has been working with its partners on the ground to provide food, emergency shelter and sanitation for tens of thousands of people in Darfur affected by the crisis.
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