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25/08/2004
Darfur victims are being silenced by Khartoum, says Amnesty
The Sudanese government is silencing the victims of humanitarian abuse in the troubled Darfur region and is not fully following through on commitments to resolve the crisis, according to a leading humanitarian organisation.
Amnesty International said today that Khartoum, far from arresting those who commit human rights violations, was detaining people attempting to expose crimes and abuses.
Currently 1.2 million people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Darfur and seek refuge in another part of the region, while a further 200,000 have fled to Chad in the wake of attacks by government-backed Janjaweed militia.
Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said: "As long as people who want to speak out about these violations are intimidated and arrested, the commitments of the government of Sudan to the international community remain hollow."
Despite mounting international pressure on the Khartoum government, it is increasingly apparent that the Sudanese government is restricting freedom of expression, Amnesty said.
In the humanitarian organisation's most recent report, it claimed that seven people were detained for passing on information to the African Union's ceasefire monitors in Abu-Derreja, near Al-Fasher. Amnesty said that the seven, who were arrested last month, continue to held in the National Security centre in Al-Fasher
People presenting petitions and trying to organise public meetings in protest against the government's actions have also been gagged by authorities, the report found.
In a bid to resolve what has been described as "the world's worst humanitarian crises", the UN has announced that it will participate in talks in Nigeria between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups.
In Khartoum yesterday, Jan Frank, the UN's envoys to Sudan, met with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to discuss the situation.
The UN Security Council will meet to consider the Secretary-General’s report on the situation in Sudan at the end of this month.
(mmcg)
Amnesty International said today that Khartoum, far from arresting those who commit human rights violations, was detaining people attempting to expose crimes and abuses.
Currently 1.2 million people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Darfur and seek refuge in another part of the region, while a further 200,000 have fled to Chad in the wake of attacks by government-backed Janjaweed militia.
Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said: "As long as people who want to speak out about these violations are intimidated and arrested, the commitments of the government of Sudan to the international community remain hollow."
Despite mounting international pressure on the Khartoum government, it is increasingly apparent that the Sudanese government is restricting freedom of expression, Amnesty said.
In the humanitarian organisation's most recent report, it claimed that seven people were detained for passing on information to the African Union's ceasefire monitors in Abu-Derreja, near Al-Fasher. Amnesty said that the seven, who were arrested last month, continue to held in the National Security centre in Al-Fasher
People presenting petitions and trying to organise public meetings in protest against the government's actions have also been gagged by authorities, the report found.
In a bid to resolve what has been described as "the world's worst humanitarian crises", the UN has announced that it will participate in talks in Nigeria between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups.
In Khartoum yesterday, Jan Frank, the UN's envoys to Sudan, met with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to discuss the situation.
The UN Security Council will meet to consider the Secretary-General’s report on the situation in Sudan at the end of this month.
(mmcg)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
