‘Immunity’ for arrested UN staffer in Darfur, says lawyer

The lawyer of the arrested Darfuri activist, Hawa Abdullah, described the arrest of his client by the security forces as a complete violation of Article 51 of the Status of Forces Agreement on the presence in Sudan of the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), for which Hawa worked as an employee. The lawyers stressed that Hawa, as a staff of the UNAMID, has immunity against any legal procedure.

Hawa Abdullah was arrested by National Security personnel at her home in Abu Shouk IDP camp on 6 May, a fact confirmed by UNAMID.

The lawyer told Radio Dabanga that a group of Darfuri lawyers met in El Fasher with the head of the UNAMID, Ibrahim Gumbari, who told them that he will be heading to Khartoum where Hawa was transferred, to meet her there and meet the concerned sides to know the reasons and circumstances of her arrest.

The lawyer also revealed that Gambari described Hawa’s arrest during his meeting with them as a violation to the agreement of the Mission with the government and confirmed that the Mission will present an official protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will report to them the results of his move within 72 hours.