UNAMID holds workshop on transitional justice in Darfur
December 19, 2008 (EL FASHER) – The hybrid peacekeeping mission conducted a two-day workshop on transitional justice in the war-torn region of Darfur at the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher.
“This workshop provides an opportunity to examine and reflect on how societies transiting from conflict may deal with their painful past in order to build a future with peace and justice in people’s daily lives,” said the deputy head of the UNAMID Henry Anyidoho, in a speech delivered at the opening session on December 16.
The Sudanese government in a bide to quell a rebellion that Broke out in 2003, has recruited local militia and ignited antagonism in the region between the local tribes who are in continual search for water and the control of fertile land.
According to the United Nations estimations around 300000 people have been killed and 2 million have been driven from their homes by the conflict in Darfur. The Sudanese government disputes the figures saying only around 10000 killed in the five year conflict.
Anyidoho said that failure to acknowledge past abuses can perpetuate conflicts. He further added that focusing efforts on security arrangements is not enough to end the conflict and warned that “peace and reconciliation will not be sustainable.”
He also emphasized that in order to prevent recurrence of conflict, peace processes must not only examine and address the effects of conflict, but also its root causes.
The workshop, which was attended by approximately 35 participants, including lawyers, members of national NGOs and professors from across North Darfur, provided an opportunity to learn about the notion of transitional justice and about transitional justice responses in different contexts.
The short course examined complementary ways of dealing with a legacy of abuses, such as truth seeking, institutional reforms and various forms of reparations to victims.
The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur encompasses a Human Rights Section mandated to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Darfur and to promote the respect and protection of human rights in Darfur.
(ST)