SOAT- Forced closure of humanitarian agency in West Darfur

On 11 March 2006, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), the Government agency which oversees all humanitarian organisations in Sudan, issued a formal notice to the directors of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) in Zallingei and Geneina, ordering the suspension of all activities within west Darfur province.

The forced suspension of SUDO activities in west Darfur follows controversial changes to legislation affecting non-governmental organisations, passed under the “Organisation of Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act” by parliamentary majority on 20 February 2006.

In a separate letter from HAC dated 11 March 2006, the new legislation was cited and further instructions for the suspension of activities and seizure of assets were outlined. The directors of SUDO’s Zallingei and Geneina offices were ordered to hand over all the assets of the organisation including cars and two motorcycles; close down the health centre, nutrition centre and food distribution unit; hand over the keys and all stationeries belonging to the organisation and produce a full report on the income and expenditure of the organisation.

The HAC also reportedly sent a letter to the Agricultural Bank on 11 March 2006 ordering the bank to close SUDO’s west Darfur office account and cease all transactions from 13 March 2006.

SOAT is seriously concerned about the government obstruction and intervention in the activities of SUDO, and the implications for the vulnerable civilian population in the region.

Background

SUDO’s Zallingei office was previously closed in January 2006 but was reopened following negotiations and the intervention of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

This is the first time that the new “Organisation of Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act” (2006) has been invoked since it was passed by parliament .

SOAT has expressed serious concern about certain provisions in the new Act which introduced broad and vaguely defined control measures upon the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Act bestows wide powers upon the government-appointed Commissioner General and Registrar General for Humanitarian and Voluntary work, including the power to periodically review the activities of non-governmental organisations and refuse to re-register organisations. SOAT fears that this vaguely defined legislation has given the authorities the opportunity to refuse to re-register some organisations using arbitrary criteria such as their criticism of the government’s policies or for highlighting human rights violations.

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