Darfur Bar asks UN for independent inquiry on rape allegations

The Darfur Bar Association is calling on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to order independent inquiries into the alleged mass-rape case in Tabit. The lawyers say they received information indicating that grave human rights violations and of the rights of women have taken place. In a statement, the lawyers from Darfur condemn the conclusions reached by Unamid after a three-hour visit to Tabit: that they had not found any evidence a rape or mass rape had taken place. The Bar association said the peacekeeping mission violated the rules for fair and impartial investigation as “it only went to the place for a few hours”. The presence of “uniformed government officials was the main reason for the reluctance of individuals to cooperate with the investigation team”. For this reason the lawyers demand the UNSC order “independent and fair investigations that have adequate safeguards for individuals and groups to give their accounts free of terror and intimidation”. The Darfur Bar Association has sent a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations and the UN Security Council to form an international commission of inquiry. Khartoum Women’s conference sends memorandum to EU At a press conference of women in Khartoum on Wednesday 12 November, the delegates revealed the text (below) of a memorandum they have sent to the Head of the EU delegation in Khartoum (see link below for original Arabic text): Urgent Memorandum to the Head of Delegation of the European Union Mission in Khartoum: We have been following with deep concern the news that 200 women have been raped by regular forces in the village of Tabit, southwest of El Fasher, after the regular forces entered earlier this month and carried out a forced search for a missing soldier believed to be lost in the region fully taking over the village, as reported by Radio Dabanga in a reported supported by accounts of victims and witnesses. Next, we heard from Unamid contrary reports, saying that they interviewed the people in the village. Until this moment, we do not know what happened in Tabit, and especially to the women in the village. Especially that we know this regime has a dark history full of violence against women. Violating the rights of women and has been happening over the last quarter of century until nowadays through laws and legislations, and even the way and behaviour of the government. Violations have peaked during the Darfur war, waged since 2003, as women are more vulnerable to violence. Women have nothing to do with the war, and when the men wanted to start the war they never asked the women about it. Women will be raped by organised militias and by a number of government’s regular forces, until leaders are charged with war crimes, rape being one important example. This is happening at a time in which the Darfur issue is far from the eye and ear of the world because of the way in which the government deals with the media. But nowadays in the era of information in which image and voice which travels at the speed of light  it will be very difficult to cover the crimes and atrocities and in particular violations such as rape, in crimes collectively amounting to crimes against the humanity. Each one of us demands a re-investigation on the information above. An investigation that is more independent and comprehensive, that includes a number of national civil society organizations working in the monitoring of violations against women. An investigation that includes the international community and representatives of organizations and missions in Sudan. An investigation to reveal all facts. Has the entire village in fact been seized by the armed forces? Have women been victims of systematic rape? How many women have been raped? Why Unamid prevented from entering Tabit, even after the immediate circulation of news about the rape? Then why was it allowed to enter Tabit after more than one week? Were male and female villagers actually intimidated and forced not to reveal what has happened there to those women? Was there a significant number of minor among the victims? The importance of this investigation lays not only on the fact that any rapist or violator deserve justice instead of being protected by whichever status, but also because women’s bodies should not be exposed to these atrocities and be physically bullied by rape or humiliation. We cannot remain silent when our mothers and sisters and daughters in Darfur are daily subjected to rape, humiliation and oppression because of the damned/cursed war. We hope that peace will prevail in Darfur, in the Nuba Mountains, and in the Blue Nile, and in every inch as possible of Sudan, so that women and children and citizens in these areas can enjoy every part of a safe life, with human rights and citizenship. Sudanese Women’s UnionCommittee of Solidarity with Detainees Young National Consensus Forces Darfur Students Association Change Now Movement Related:Sudan army filmed Unamid mass rape investigations in Tabit (12 November 2014)Sudan security thwarts Khartoum anti-rape vigil (12 November 2014)Political parties demand new inquiry into North Darfur rape (12 November 2014)