North Darfur security project ‘flagrant violation of human rights’: opposition

The National Consensus Forces (NCF, a coalition of opposition parties) has described the “Google security project” implemented in North Darfur as “a straight destruction of justice, of the judicial apparatus and a flagrant violation of the most basic human rights in North Darfur”.In terms of the new security measures announced by Governor Osman Kibir in October, the various armed government forces in the state have been authorised to “detain any person who is acting in any way against the public security and safety” and to “search any house, vehicle, shop, store or person at any time, using maximum force and firearms if necessary”. According to the Governor, the “Google security project aims at resolving all types of lawlessness and security breaches caused by outlaws in the state. These measures will reach everyone without exception in order to protect the citizens and extend the prestige of the state and the rule of law.”The Governor delegated his powers to the armed government forces for the period of two months, hoping to “create a climate suitable for Unamid and international organisations to conduct their programmes in North Darfur.” Speaking to Radio Dabanga, lawyer Kamal Omar, the media official of the NCF and the political secretary of the Popular Congress Party, termed the new security measures “tyrannical, in such a way history has never witnessed”. He stressed that the measures violate the Sudanese Constitution and universal human rights laws. “The new security measures violate rights, freedoms, the privacy and sanctity of people’s homes. They also seriously affect the work of prosecutors and the judiciary apparatus, as they full freedom of action to the security forces. They can do to do whatever they want without being monitored or restricted by laws,” Omar. The lawyer noted that that there are enough provisions in the Sudanese laws to fight the spread of drugs, alcohol or weapons. “If North Darfur Governor Osman Kibir wants to combat them by giving free reign to the army and other armed government forces in the state, then this can only be to protect Kibir’s authority, not to protect the citizens.” “There are forces in Darfur such as the Central Reserve Forces (Abu Tira) and numerous government-backed militia groups wearing military uniforms and carrying military IDs. If these security forces are given extra authority of this size, the situation in North Darfur is bound to become worse than ever.” File photo Related: Governor of North Darfur announces ‘Google scheme’ to curb insecurity in the state (1 November 2013)