Activists urge Sudan’s Bashir to release Darfur rebel figure
July 31, 2007 (LONDON) — In a letter to Sudan’s president, prominent international personalities and human activists called for the release of a Darfur rebel figure, Suleiman Jamous, who is confined in a UN hospital in western Sudan.
Suleiman Jamous, 62-year-old, had been detained by Minni Minawi on 20 May 2006 after his opposition to Darfur Peace Agreement. The former UN special envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk had obtained his release on 22 June 2006 and transported him to Kadugli in a UNMIS hospital for medical treatment; but also to protect him from Minawi.
After his transport to Kadugli, Khartoum had imposed a two-day ban on the UN humanitarian operations in Darfur, to punish the UN for undertaking this charitable initiative without government permission.
“Suleiman Jamous was very important to humanitarian agencies because he arranged for access but also because he understands humanitarian principles and human rights and was an interlocutor on a number of issues including releasing child soldiers;” said Julie Flint.
The signatories said in their letter “We believe that it is not appropriate for an individual Sudanese citizen in need of medical care to be confined in this way because of such considerations. First and foremost, Suleiman Jamous is an individual with all the rights that a Sudanese citizen should enjoy.”
Jamous has been confined to a UN hospital in Kadugli, South Kordofan. He is suffering from an abdominal complaint and needs urgent medical attention he cannot get in Kadugli.
He told Sudan Tribune he needs a stomach biopsy which cannot be performed in South Kordofan. “Without this attention my condition is deteriorating.” He underlined.
On February 8, Jamous started hunger strike in the United Nations hospital where he is confined requesting to be moved abroad for treatment.
“Suleiman Jamous is a man of indisputable moral integrity who has provided life-saving humanitarian access through volatile rebel territories,” said Mia Farrow. “He is responsible for saving tens of thousands of lives.”
The other signatories of the petition for the release of Jamous are: Mia Farrow, goodwill UNICEF ambassador, Juan Mendez, president of the International Centre for Transitional Justice, Richard Holbrooke, former US ambassador, Vaclav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia, Chibli Mallat, Professor of Law University of Utah, Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Alex de Waal, fellow of the Global Equity Initiative, Harvard University, Julie Flint, independent writer and researcher and Bahey El-Din Hassan, Secretary General of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights.
A CONTRIBUTOR TO DARFUR PEACE
Besides the humanitarian case, who is well considered by all the non signatory rebels, can be an important factor for the success of the forthcoming peace talks, in terms of finding a common ground between the rebel groups.
Suleiman Jamous told Sudan Tribune that Sudanese president promised two of the UN senior officials to authorize the departure of Jamous to participate in Arusha meeting.
Abdalla Yahya Ahmed, a leader of splinter faction from SLM-Minni Minawi, has named Jamous as one of the members of his delegation to participate Arusha meeting.
The Aug. 3-5 conference in Arusha would discuss when and where the rebel groups might hold talks with the Khartoum government, and how to forge a common negotiating position between them.
Last February, Sudan Liberation Army field commanders showed solidarity with Suleiman Jamous. They adjourned a unity meeting requesting his presence in the conference.
The Following is the text of the letter sent to the Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir requesting him to release Sumeiman Jamous:
– His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
– President of the Republic of Sudan
– President’ s Palace
– PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
30 July 2007
Your Excellency
We are writing to petition you to allow Mr Suleiman Jamous to travel freely to obtain urgent medical attention.
In our different capacities, we have come to know and respect Suleiman for his humanitarian work in Darfur and his commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Sudan. He exemplified the best tradition of civic activism in Sudan including personal piety and self-sacrifice in the cause of providing essential assistance to those in need.
For one year, Suleiman Jamous has been confined to a hospital in Kadugli, South Kordofan. He is suffering from an abdominal complaint and needs urgent medical attention he cannot get in Kadugli. Without this attention his condition is deteriorating.
We fully appreciate the complexities of the circumstances that led to Suleiman being taken to Kadugli and kept there. Commenting on these political circumstances is beyond our collective concerns. However we believe that it is not appropriate for an individual Sudanese citizen in need of medical care to be confined in this way because of such considerations. First and foremost, Suleiman Jamous is an individual with all the rights that a Sudanese citizen should enjoy.
It is within your power to enable him to travel to obtain the treatment he needs. We respectfully ask you to do so.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Mia Farrow, goodwill UNICEF ambassador
Juan Mendez, president of the International Centre for Transitional Justice and former UN Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide
Richard Holbrooke, former US ambassador to the United Nations
Vaclav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia
Chibli Mallat, Lebanese presidential candidate and Professor of Law and Politics of the Middle East, University of Utah
Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Alex de Waal, fellow of the Global Equity Initiative, Harvard University
Julie Flint, independent writer and researcher
Bahey El-Din Hassan, Secretary General of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
(ST)