Continual Violence at Kalma IDP Camp in Darfur
SOAT
On 20 May 2005, violent clashes between police forces inside Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Nyala, Southern Darfur State and IDP resulted in the death of a police officer and the injury of at least thirty-three persons including one IDP, Mr. Nasir Adam Mohamed Ali who sustained serious injuries after being stabbed by a police officer.
The incident began when police officers attempted to harass and remove equipment of women sellers in a small market inside the camp. Mr. Nasir reportedly intervened and was subsequently stabbed by one of the police officers.
In response, the IDPs in an organised manner using knives, stones, and sticks attacked and killed one of the police officers. The IDPs also set on fire the police car and number of aid agencies tents including HAC (Humanitarian Aid Commission), Saudi Arabia Red Crescent and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
On the following day, 21 May 2005, police officers arrested five IDPs, one injured in relation to the violence. The men were taken were taken to Nyala Wasat (central) police station and Security Detention Centre in Nyala where they remain in detention. Their details are as follows:
Nyala Wasat (central) police station:
* Abdalla AlRahman, (24 yrs)
* Abd Al Ghani Ismail (32 yrs)
* Karam Aldin Ibrahim Zakaria (Injured, receiving medical)
Security Detention Centre:
* Bashair Adam Suliman (38 yrs)
* Abu Joumma Mohammed (28 yrs)
SOAT condemns the violence and the death of the police officer and calls on the government of Sudan (GoS) to undertake an investigation into the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice. In addition, SOAT urges the GoS to give assurances that the five IDPs will not be tortured or ill-treated.
SOAT calls on the government of Sudan to:
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees;
– Immediately release all the detainees in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;
– Ensure that all the detainees have access to legal advice
– Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and attacks on IDPs in the Darfur region and to respect international humanitarian law and to end impunity for crimes committed by the government security forces;
– Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;
SOAT is an international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SOAT information, please contact us:
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