Sudan army denies targeting civilians in Darfur
March 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese army issued a statement today denying that it is targeting civilians in Darfur.
The office of the spokesman of the Sudanese army said that “all civilians are under his protection”.
A report issued jointly on Thursday by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), stated that recent attacks by militias and the Sudanese Armed Forces on four villages in West Darfur amount to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The attacks launched early February left at least 115 people dead and some 30,000 displaced and drew worldwide condemnation including from the UN.
The Sudanese army said that it “avoids targeting civilians even if used as human shields by the Darfur rebel groups”.
“We are fulfilling our duties in protecting the nation and our people” the statement read.
The 8 February attacks in Sirba, Silea and Abu Suruj involved aerial bombardments by helicopter gunships and fixed-wing aircraft, accompanied by ground offensives by armed militia on horses and camels, and by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
According to the report, information gathered by UNAMID Human Rights Officers indicates that “these actions violated the principle of distinction stated in international humanitarian law, failing to distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives.
Moreover, the scale of destruction of civilian property, including objects indispensable for the survival of the civilian population, suggests that the damage was a deliberate and integral part of a military strategy”.
The report also describes extensive looting during and after the attacks, and catalogues “consistent and credible accounts of rape committed by armed uniformed men during and after the attack in Sirba”.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in the conflict, which Washington calls genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use. The Sudan government says 9,000 people have been killed
(ST)