Torture and harassment of a ceasefire commission member
Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development
On 09th June 2005 at 06:00 PM, Sudanese Police and Security Force surrounded the
residential house of the representative of the Ceasefire Commission of the Justice and
Equality Movement from the African Union. The incident took place in El Fasher, which
has become the headquarters for the commission since the ceasefire agreement in
N’djamena on 8th April 2004 between the rebels and the Sudanese Government.
In the attack, security forces of Sudan government disarmed the African Union guards at
the house, confiscated their mobile phones and arrested the people inside the house.
They then proceeded to loot the house before taking them to prison. Those arrested
were subsequently subjected to severe torture in prison.
From reports received at this centre, we have been informed that the African Union has
now removed those affected from the prison and placed them close to the border with
Chad. Other rebel members of the Ceasefire Commission have temporarily suspended
their work on monitoring until such time as this matter can be resolved. They expressed
deep concern to this centre this morning regarding the ability of the African Union to
ensure their safety and to prevent government forces from acting in this arbitrary
manner. They said that the Sudanese government has singularly failed to honour the
agreements it signed.
This incident yet again underscores the lack of seriousness of the part of the Sudanese
government with regard to its negotiations in the peace process. It also underscores the
determination of the government to derail the process by stepping up its activities at the
moment that peace negotiations begin. In doing this (as it did at the last negotiations) it
intends to put other parties to the negotiation on edge.
We urge the United Nations, African Union and the international community to:
– Expand the mandate of the African Union peace keeping forces to include the protection of civilians;
– Urgently pursue the possibility of sending substantial additional peacekeepers to the area;
– Investigate allegations of continued attacks on civilians including allegations of torture;
– Continue to exert pressure on the Government of Sudan to comply with international
resolutions and to come to a peaceful settlement;
– Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in
accordance with international human rights standards;
– Take action immediately to gather documentary evidence such that the perpetrators may be
prosecuted by the International Criminal Court;
– Ensure that the Government of Sudan co-operates fully with the International Criminal
Court. Impose sanctions on the Government of Sudan if it fails to do this.
– Ensure that such perpetrators are prosecuted in accordance with international norms and
standards of accountability in the International Criminal Court;
– Produce a realistic and workable plan to allow refugees to return to their homes.
– Ensure that safe areas are established that are effective and well patrolled.
We urge the Government of Sudan to respect the mandate of the international community and to:
– Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of
association throughout Sudan in accordance with international human rights standards;
– Honour its agreement to the UN General Secretary and the rebels; to immediately take
decisive action to stop its militias from perpetrating further atrocities.
– Immediately cease its program of arbitrary detention, harassment and targeting of
Dafurians both in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan.
How to Contact Us
– Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development
– P.O. Box 48299
– London, W2 7YG
– By phone in the U.K: 07786 984832 or 07930 691575
– By phone in the USA: 001 267 992 2004
– By e-mail: [email protected]
– Website: www.dcfhr.org