Darfur: Militia Attack on Hejair Tono Village; Arbitrary Arrest
SOAT
On 7 March 2005, armed militias on horseback, camels and in cars numbering more than 200 attacked and looted Hejair Tono Village, 35 km south of Nyala town, Southern Darfur state killing three men and wounding a fourth man. The militias looted approximately 150 camels.
The details of the civilians killed and wounded are as followed:
Killed:
Ibraheam Hadi, (55 yrs), Zaghawa tribe;
Abaker Mohamed Momin, (18 yrs), Zaghawa tribe;
Idrees Soulieman, (42 yrs), Zaghawa tribe;
Wounded:
Jamal Abdella Soulieman, (23 yrs), Zaghawa tribe;
Mr. Jamal received gunshot wounds to the chest during the attack on the village and was taken by his father, Mr. Abdella Soulieman to the hospital. However, before Mr. Jamal could receive medical treatment, his father was required to obtain a ‘Form 8’ from the police station. After obtaining the ‘Form 8’, Mr. Jamal was admitted to the hospital and began medical treatment for his wounds.
On 09 April 2005, at 12:30 am, security forces went to the hospital to arrest Mr. Jamal. Following the arrest, Mr. Jamal was chained to his hospital bed. The security forces also arrested Mr. Jamal’s cousin Ibraheam Hussain Wadi, (24 yrs), lives in Nyala and took him from the hospital to the security offices.
Mr. Ibraheam remains in detention and his family have been denied access to visit him. Mr. Jamal is currently in hospital under the control of the security forces. No reason was given for the arrest of Mr. Jamal and Mr. Ibraheam and the men are facing no official charges.
SOAT condemns the attack on Hejair Tono Village resulting in the death of three people and the arrest of Mr. Jamal Abdella Soulieman and Mr. Ibraheam Hussain Wadi, and is calling on the GoS to undertake an investigation into the attack on Hejair Tono village and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The continued attack on civilians in Darfur are a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement, the UNSC resolutions and international humanitarian law protecting civilians and undermines the government of Sudan (GoS) declared commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict in Darfur. SOAT reiterates its call to the government of Sudan to respect its obligations under the Abuja Protocols which under Article 2 (‘Protection of Civilians’) of the humanitarian accords requires all parties to the agreement to “Take all steps required to prevent attacks, threats, intimidations and any other form of violence against civilians.” Furthermore Article 2 (Security Protocols) urges all parties to the conflict to “refrain…from conducting hostile military flights in and over the Darfur Region.”
SOAT condemns the continued violations of the ceasefire agreement and all attacks on civilians. SOAT strongly urges the GOS to:
– Immediately investigate the attack on Hejair Tono Village and bring the perpetrators to justice;
– Immediately cease attacks on civilians and adhere to it commitments under the ceasefire agreement;
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Jamal Abdella Soulieman and Mr. Ibraheam Hussain Wadi and ensure they have access to legal advice;
– Allow Mr. Ibraheam Hussain Wadi immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require;
– Order the immediately release of Mr. Jamal Abdella Soulieman and Mr. Ibraheam Hussain Wadi 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;
– Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
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