Sudan a critical test for UN security council
At a farcical ‘disarmament ceremony’ held in Jeneina on August 27, the militia members were given back their guns as soon as the UN special representative had left.
Massive human rights violations including killings, torture, and rape are continuing on an hourly basis. Strengthening the numbers, capacity and resources of international human rights monitors in Darfur is vital but not enough. They must have strong political backing from the African Union and UN if they are to compel the Sudanese government to end these atrocities, and hold them to account for the gross human rights violations committed by its security forces and its militia, the Janjaweed.
A major obstacle to the effective disarmament of the Janjaweed is their progressive integration into the armed forces and the border police. This terrifying strategy is making it ever more difficult for civilians to feel safe and for international monitors to identify those responsible for human rights violations.
Even the police force, the very group sent by the government of Sudan to restore security in Darfur, has been accused of sexually exploiting displaced women and girls. The designated ‘safe areas’ around the camps for internally displaced people are anything but, with attacks, abductions, destruction of property, looting, and sexual violence continuing unchecked.
The dismal human rights situation in Darfur is a critical test of the UN security council’s resolve. It should immediately suspend arms transfers to the Sudanese government, establish a commission of inquiry that will hold the Sudanese leadership accountable, and it should uphold its responsibility to save the lives of the people of Darfur by taking all necessary steps to end human rights violations.
Colm Ó Cuanacháin
Secretary General
Amnesty International
Irish Section
48 Fleet Street
Dublin 2
