UN human right envoy to Sudan urges Darfur attack probe
September 14, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – A UN-mandated human rights expert on Sudan has urged the government there to investigate reports of a recent attack on a local village in north Darfur where at least 37 people were killed by suspected pro-government militiamen.
Chande, who was appointed to his position last October by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said he was “deeply disturbed about these killings which highlight the continuing deterioration of the situation in Darfur.”
He urged the government to conduct “as a matter of urgency a thorough and transparent investigation into the attack on civilians in North Darfur.”
Chande stressed that “this incident should be investigated thoroughly and impartially and those responsible should be brought to justice.”
The attack on Tabra village, which is located in North Darfur state at 12 kilometers from Tawila and 75 kilometers from the state capital Al-Fasher, was initially reported by Darfur rebel group the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abd-al-Wahid Nur.
The group claimed that pro-government militiamen infamously known as Jangweed on 02 September stormed the village’s local market and went into a firing spree, killing 74 people and injuring dozens more.
“The attack started at 2 o’clock pm [local time] on Thursday, the day of the weekly market (souk) of the village, and where a large crowd was gathered” said SLM’s military spokesperson Abdel Rahman Nimir n September 02.
“The assailants are led by a notorious militia leader called Al-Nur Ahmed,” he added. The latter and his militia are based in Ome, a village at seven kilometers from Tabra.
Nimir said there were 18 schoolchildren among the 74 civilians killed during the attack. He indicated that the market is located at 20 meters from Tabra elementary school.
The UN-AU Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said it had confirmed reports about the death of 45 people in the attack.
“Our security received reports that armed men on camels and horses rode into the market area and indiscriminately began firing upon civilians,” said Chris Cycmanick, the official spokesperson of the peacekeeping mission.
However, Sudan’s army disputed reports of the attack and said that its troops in the area were attacked by “bandits”
(ST)
julius mowanga
UN human right envoy to Sudan urges Darfur attack probe
I wounder about the UNAMID Forces’ presence in the area,they should investigate such incidents instead of the Northern Darfur State’s local police,who are loyal to the NCP regime and can’t be entrusted in this situation.
Such attacks on the civilians under the watch of the UN-Police is very disappointing and shows the dysfunction of this forces and their mandate.
We do afraid that such incidents will occurred in the South of Sudan,once the UNAMIS Forces doesn’t has the mandate of defusing such attacks and bring the assailants to justice.
We,as Southern Sudanese,have to learn from such incidents and raise our awareness,preparedness in this regard.
okucu pa lotinokwan
UN human right envoy to Sudan urges Darfur attack probe
The 2-Sept-10 Killing on the innocent civilian in the market of North Darfur need no investigation this is the real fact,Omer Bashir will finish the Darfurian if no strong steps has not been taken against him.
He is like wild fire now,because he knew himself like a person with HIV/AIDS follow his warrant arest by the ICC.And he want to die with many. UN Human right should notices this.