UN independent human rights expert: upsurge in Darfur conflicts ‘unfortunate’
Following his third mission to Sudan, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the country issued a press statement on Thursday about his impressions over South Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The three states were the focus of his visit.Concerning South Darfur, Prof Mashood Adebayo Baderin noted that since his last visit in February, “it is unfortunate that there has been an upsurge in the inter and intra-tribal conflict as well as clashes between the armed groups and Government forces in the region which has resulted in a climate of insecurity and forced displacements.”“The effects of all these skirmishes in South Darfur have translated to an increase of new arrivals of displaced persons in the different camps in Nyala, particularly in Kalma, El Salam and Otash,” he noted.Prof Baderin said he was informed that Otash camp received more than 4,500 new arrivals in the last 45 days alone. The newly displaced, especially women and children, are facing terrible conditions, he said.“The tents were inadequate and most of the new displaced have resorted to using local materials to construct make-shift shelter. (They) need immediate help and attention to avoid a humanitarian disaster in view of the impending rainy season.”The Expert noted he raised this matter with the Governor of South Darfur and the representative of the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in the state; both of which “promised to take action”.In addition, leaders of Otash camp told Prof Baderin that more than 1,000 students residing in the camp will not be able to attend classes at the beginning of the academic year if they are not registered as camp residents.“I am concerned about the right to education of these children. I strongly urge the government, and all relevant UN agencies to assist in addressing the humanitarian needs of the Attash (residents) as a matter of urgency.”File photo: Prof Baderin (from Nigeria) addresses the media during a press conference at the Ministry of Justice in Khartoum on 14 June 2012. In 2012 he visited Sudan for the first time to monitor the human rights situation in the country (Albert González Farran/UNAMID)For further details, see coverage on Radio TamazujRelated: UN independent expert: ‘progress made but major challenges remain’ (11 February 2013)
Following his third mission to Sudan, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the country issued a press statement on Thursday about his impressions over South Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The three states were the focus of his visit.
Concerning South Darfur, Prof Mashood Adebayo Baderin noted that since his last visit in February, “it is unfortunate that there has been an upsurge in the inter and intra-tribal conflict as well as clashes between the armed groups and Government forces in the region which has resulted in a climate of insecurity and forced displacements.”
“The effects of all these skirmishes in South Darfur have translated to an increase of new arrivals of displaced persons in the different camps in Nyala, particularly in Kalma, El Salam and Otash,” he noted.
Prof Baderin said he was informed that Otash camp received more than 4,500 new arrivals in the last 45 days alone. The newly displaced, especially women and children, are facing terrible conditions, he said.
“The tents were inadequate and most of the new displaced have resorted to using local materials to construct make-shift shelter. (They) need immediate help and attention to avoid a humanitarian disaster in view of the impending rainy season.”
The Expert noted he raised this matter with the Governor of South Darfur and the representative of the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in the state; both of which “promised to take action”.
In addition, leaders of Otash camp told Prof Baderin that more than 1,000 students residing in the camp will not be able to attend classes at the beginning of the academic year if they are not registered as camp residents.
“I am concerned about the right to education of these children. I strongly urge the government, and all relevant UN agencies to assist in addressing the humanitarian needs of the Attash (residents) as a matter of urgency.”
File photo: Prof Baderin (from Nigeria) addresses the media during a press conference at the Ministry of Justice in Khartoum on 14 June 2012. In 2012 he visited Sudan for the first time to monitor the human rights situation in the country (Albert González Farran/UNAMID)
For further details, see coverage on Radio Tamazuj
Related: UN independent expert: ‘progress made but major challenges remain’ (11 February 2013)
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