Darfur: Detention and Torture of IDPs
SOAT
On 10 May 2005, police officers from Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Nyala arrested fifteen IDP leaders. The IDPs were arrested from Nyala market.
The IDPs were taken to an area inside the market where they were subjected to torture for over an hour. The police officers beat the fifteen IDPs with their hands, sticks and the butt of their guns. The officers also shaved the hair of the IDP’s, including their beards. Among the IDPs tortured was Soulieman Ali from the Fur tribe and lives in Kalma camp centre No. 2.
No reason was given for the arrest of the IDPs. However, it is believed the IDPs were arrested in relation to government demands for IDPs in Kalma camp to return to their villages or to accept relocation. There has been a spate of visits from government officials to Kalma IDP camp, with three visits to the camp in the last week alone. On the most recent visit on 5 May 2005, government officials gathered the IDP leaders together and warned them that there must be no IDPs in the camp by the end of May 2005.
SOAT condemns the arbitrary arrests and continued harassment of IDPs and calls on the GoS to give assurances that they will not be subjected to torture or ill-treatment by government security forces. According to reports, IDPs who have return to their communities have suffered frequent attacks and have been subject to intimidation by the Janjaweed militia.
Forceful relocation or return of IDPs and refugees is against all international humanitarian laws and the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977. �
SOAT condemns the continued violations of the ceasefire agreement and all subsequent agreements and urges the Government of Sudan to:
i. Commit to the voluntary return of IDPs, ensure safe passage, and compensate IDPs for loss of livelihood caused by the arbitrary seizure of lands and to return these lands
ii. Investigate the arrest and torture of the IDPs and ensure that the perpetrators are brought before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;
iii. End impunity for crimes committed by the security apparatus in order to bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
iv. Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards
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