UN denied access to Kassab camp

Sources from North Darfur announced that Sudanese authorities denied UN Special Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani access to Kassab camp, in Kutum locality, on Saturday, 17 November, they told Radio Dabanga. Beyani, who is currently in Sudan, was scheduled to visit various sites of displacement and return, and meet with displaced persons, local authorities and affected communities. Leaders and sheikhs from Kassab had reportedly prepared a reception to welcome the rapporteur to the camp, but were ‘surprised’ when UNAMID informed them that Sudanese authorities did not grant Beyani permission to visit the camp and assess the local conditions. Camps activists believe that the primary purpose of the government’s refusal was because it did not want the rapporteur to personally assess the situation on the ground. They noted that prior to his visit, Beyani announced: ‘I will consider the situation of internally displaced persons, including in Darfur, with a view to assessing the current humanitarian, protection and durable solutions needs, and providing relevant recommendations’.Related: Camp leader warns UN about ‘false displaced’ (13 November 2012)