The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its extreme concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, which has resulted in the killing of international humanitarian agency workers in Sudan.
Increased incidents of violations of the ceasefire signed by the Sudanese government and the opposition in Abuja led to the killing of more than twelve individuals working for relief agencies on the 17th January 2007. This has prompted some organisations to leave the area because of safety concerns, a matter which could lead to a worsening of the humanitarian crisis Sudanese civilians are experiencing.
Increasing ACIJLP’s concern are the Sudanese government’s widespread arrest campaigns in which United Nations and African Union workers in Niyala, south Darfour, have been caught up. These workers were subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment.
ACIJLP considers that the increasing frequency of acts of violence of this nature between the warring factions represents a dangerous threat to the right of life of civilians in Darfour, since several tribes have been involved in violent confrontations, resulting in the death of 120 civilians between 12th – 20th January.
The Darfour crisis which broke out in 2003 has led to the death of more than 200,000 Sudanese people. The conflict has also led to the forced displacement of more than 2.5 million people inside Sudan in addition to the 200,000 Sudanese who have sought refuge in east Chad where they live in steadily worsening humanitarian conditions.
ACIJLP urges the Sudanese authorities to become aware of its role and undertake its responsibility to provide security throughout Sudan generally, and in Darfour in particular.
It also calls on the United Nations to speed up the deployment of additional forces in Darfur in order to protect civilians, in execution of resolution 1706 passed by the Security Council in 2006.
ACIJLP urges the African Summit currently being held in Addis Ababa to exert efforts in order to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Darfour, and work with the warring factions in order to guarantee the protection of Sudanese civilians and protect international humanitarian agency employees present in Darfour.
