For the second day, the suffering of civilians living in “Kalma” camp for internally homeless (in the east of “Nyala” city, South of “Darfur” region) is continued; given the continuing blockade on the camp by the Sudanese government forces. Through the Center’s follow-up of the situation in the camp, it has received reports of increasing rates of human suffering of children and women, where the Centre received information indicating the disappearance of nearly 70 children. Those children are likely being dead, given the deteriorating conditions inside the camp.  In addition, approximately 45 women subjected to abortion.

The information indicated that the camp is currently under the siege of 100 military vehicles “Land Cruiser” equipped with heavy weapons.

Worth mentioning, that the government forces attacked “Kalma” camp for internally forced displaced persons inside Darfur, which includes more than 170 thousand displaced persons, on August 25 2008. These attacks have resulted in the death of nearly 170 civilians and wounded hundreds of children and women, this attack also led to the burning and looting of civilian properties along with the destruction of the headquarters of one of the humanitarian organizations working in this camp, it is called “El Amal” Center for treatment and legal advice.

Today August 26^th 2008, the eye witnesses in the “Kalma” camp informed about the continuing siege of military vehicles and preventing reporters and news agencies from covering those events.

These attacks represent a serious violation of the international law in general and the international humanitarian law, especially Article III common of the four Geneva Conventions, in terms of requiring parties to armed conflicts to not to be subjected to  civilians.

The Centre  expresses its extreme concern over the aggravation of the humanitarian crisis of civilians in the camp especially women and children, and it calls on the international community and humanitarian relief organizations especially the “International Red Cross” to interfere immediately and urgently to reduce the growing humanitarian crisis inside the camp. Moreover, it demands the Sudanese government to commit with its international commitments and to allow relief organizations to play their role without hindrance.

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its extreme concern about the increase in civilians facing a new humanitarian crisis in Darfour, and without any real action by the international community.

ACIJLP received news about civilians being subjected to attacks by Sudanese government forces in the “Kalma” camp for forcibly displaced people in south Darfour on 25^th August 2008. More than 170,000 displaced people live in the camp.

These attacks resulted in the killing for nearly 170 civilians and hundreds of injuries to women and children. They also resulted in the civilians’ belongings being burnt and plundered. This is in addition to the destruction of the headquarters of a humanitarian organisation working in the camp, “El Amal” Center for Medical Treatment and Legal Consultation.

Eyewitnesses who were in the “Kalma” camp on 25^th August state that a number of military vehicles foot soldiers took part in the attacks. The camp remains under a military cordon: correspondents and news agencies have been prevented from covering these events.

These attacks are a serious violation of international law in general, and international humanitarian law in particular, especially Common Article 3 of the Four Geneva Conventions which obliges parties to an armed conflict to refrain from attacking civilians.

ACIJLP condemns the targeting of Sudanese civilians in Darfour, and calls on the Sudanese government to abide by the provisions of international humanitarian law on unarmed civilians and immediately stop the violations being committed in the “Kalma” camp.

ACIJLP also calls on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to intervene in order to document the violations which occurred today and conduct an urgent criminal inquiry into the most recent violations in the “Kalma” camp for internally displaced people. 

The Egyptian Coalition for the International Criminal Court expresses its concern over what the International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing during the performance of its mission, particularly in matters concerning the handing over of Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kosheyb. The two men were involved in extremely serious crimes against humanity in Darfour.

Surrender of the two men to the ICC is the most serious obstacle hindering the Court performing its role. This prompted the ICC to propose the establishment of a body which would oblige States to cooperate with the ICC in the handing over of wanted individuals (particularly in Darfour, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Uganda) during a press conference it held in New York on 21^st November 2007. 

The Egyptian Coalition expresses its solidarity with the ICC’s demands, and urges the international community to cooperate with the Court in order to establish justice and the culture of escaping punishment.

The Egyptian Coalition also urges Member States of the ICC to sign the Protocol to the Rome Statute which establishes a permanent mechanism allowing the ICC to oblige States to hand over wanted individuals to international justice.

The Egyptian Coalition calls on the Sudanese government – given that Sudan is a sovereign country – to abide by international law and implement resolution 1593 issued by the Security Council in 2005 and cooperate with the ICC by arresting the wanted men and bringing them before the ICC. The Coalition believes that Ahmed Haroun’s remaining in his post and controlling civilians in camps reduces the chances of peace in Darfour. The Sudanese government must take advantage of the procedural guarantees of justice in articles 65, 66, 67, 75 and 76 of the ICC’s 1998 Rome founding Statute.

Current members of the Egyptian Coalition

Founded in 1999, the Egyptian Coalition currently has 26 members.