German NGO urges end to militia atrocities in Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 11, 2005 (PANA) — Sign of Hope, a German non-governmental
organisation, has called for an end to atrocities committed by militia
groups in areas where people are resettling after the peace deal between
the Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A)
signed here last January.

Members of the New Sudan Police practice a drill , Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005 in Rumbek in southern Sudan. (AP).

The NGO’s executive director Reimund Reubelt made the call at a news
conference here Monday after concluding a human rights assessment trip
and delivery of humanitarian relief supplies to areas in central Upper
Nile and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal of southern Sudan.

The team, comprising human rights experts, lawyers and aid workers
documented cases of civilians still being held in captivity by militia
forces who are also exacting excessive illegal taxation from the people.

“Even after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement civilians
are subjected to excessive taxation, when they enter and leave a militia
held territory. The militia groups have used the civilian population as a
source of personal aggrandisement,” said Reubelt.

“This taxation continues to place yet another hardship on a people who
are struggling to rebuild their lives after suffering war and
displacement. The militia still continue to restrict the freedom of
movement of civilians,” he explained.

Reubelt said a complete cessation of activities of armed groups would
contribute to a lasting stabilisation of the security situation of the
affected civilian population.

Sign of Hope is a Germany-based interdenominational organisation for
human rights and humanitarian assistance, and holds a special
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations.