03/11/2004
Sudanese warned to halt refugees' 'forced relocation'
The Sudanese government has been warned to halt the "forced relocation" of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the strife-torn Darfur region.
In a pre-dawn operation, Khartoum reportedly moved hundreds of IDPs from Al Geer village near Nyala in South Darfur. Around 15 trucks were used to relocate the IDPs, while the remainder of the population was dispersed into the surrounding area of Nyala town.
And recently, 18 people were kidnapped by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) while and thousands of Arab militias mobilised in areas of West and South Darfur.
Reacting yesterday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the move a "violation of international humanitarian law" and warned that it directly contravened commitments made by the government.
Mr Annan "strongly urged" the government to immediately halt all relocation operations and to facilitate the return of the affected people from the “inappropriate sites” to which they have been taken.
“This should be done in accordance with the principles noted above and in consultation with the international agencies present on the ground in Darfur,” he said.
The SLA and the militias were also told to step back from the brink of sparking a new round of violence that "could claim the lives of thousands of civilians".
So far the UN has received $83 million of the $114.8 million sought by the agency for refugees and IDPs in eastern Chad and Darfur through the end of the year.
(gmcg/sp)
In a pre-dawn operation, Khartoum reportedly moved hundreds of IDPs from Al Geer village near Nyala in South Darfur. Around 15 trucks were used to relocate the IDPs, while the remainder of the population was dispersed into the surrounding area of Nyala town.
And recently, 18 people were kidnapped by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) while and thousands of Arab militias mobilised in areas of West and South Darfur.
Reacting yesterday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the move a "violation of international humanitarian law" and warned that it directly contravened commitments made by the government.
Mr Annan "strongly urged" the government to immediately halt all relocation operations and to facilitate the return of the affected people from the “inappropriate sites” to which they have been taken.
“This should be done in accordance with the principles noted above and in consultation with the international agencies present on the ground in Darfur,” he said.
The SLA and the militias were also told to step back from the brink of sparking a new round of violence that "could claim the lives of thousands of civilians".
So far the UN has received $83 million of the $114.8 million sought by the agency for refugees and IDPs in eastern Chad and Darfur through the end of the year.
(gmcg/sp)
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UN agencies accuse Sudan of forcibly moving refugees
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21 July 2004
Concerns raised over Sudanese plan to return 200,000 refugees
The Sudanese government has told humanitarian officials operating in the troubled Darfur region that plans are being made for the return of about 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their towns and villages – prompting UN agencies to stress that relocation must be voluntary.
Concerns raised over Sudanese plan to return 200,000 refugees
The Sudanese government has told humanitarian officials operating in the troubled Darfur region that plans are being made for the return of about 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their towns and villages – prompting UN agencies to stress that relocation must be voluntary.
28 October 2004
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01 October 2004
International police force 'must' be sent to Darfur
An international police presence is needed in Sudan's troubled Darfur region to ensure its vast population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are protected, two senior United Nations human rights officials told the Security Council today.
International police force 'must' be sent to Darfur
An international police presence is needed in Sudan's troubled Darfur region to ensure its vast population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are protected, two senior United Nations human rights officials told the Security Council today.
31 August 2004
Darfur refugees still at risk of 'rape and violence'
The displaced inhabitants of the Sudanese region of Darfur are traumatised and humiliated, and remain at constant risk of rape and violence, a UN humanitarian official has said.
Darfur refugees still at risk of 'rape and violence'
The displaced inhabitants of the Sudanese region of Darfur are traumatised and humiliated, and remain at constant risk of rape and violence, a UN humanitarian official has said.
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