NEW YORK 3 February 2009 – The top United Nations human rights official today voiced her alarm at reports of the worsening conditions for civilians in the South Darfur town of Muhajeria, where fighting between Sudanese Government forces and rebels has led to at least 30 deaths and uprooted some 30.000 people.
-I’m extremely concerned at the impact the fighting is having on the already dire humanitarian situation in Muhajeria, said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
The fighting which broke out on 15 January in the area between Government forces and the Sudanese Liberation Army/Mini Minawi faction (SLA/MM) against the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has exposed tens of thousands of civilians to violence, destroyed an aid agency’s office and forced the UN to relocate its staff. I’m extremely concerned at the impact the fighting is having on the already dire humanitarian situation in Muhajeria
Ms. Pillay called on the Government and both the armed groups involved to allow access to humanitarian relief, in order to prevent a further deterioration of the situation in Muhajeria.
The violence has led to at least 30 deaths, including women and children, with dozens more wounded, according to a news release from the High Commissioner’s Office. Of the 30.000 people uprooted by the fighting, about 5.000 have sought refuge in the vicinity of an African Union-UN mission in Darfur (UNAMID) military camp in Muhajeria, while many others have fled to other destinations on the outskirts of the town.
UNAMID reported that aerial bombings were conducted this morning around Muhajeria, and civilians are still gathered outside the mission’s camp seeking refuge. UNAMID officials were prevented by Sudanese national security from undertaking an assessment visit to Muhajeria, due to the current security situation in the area, the mission added.
Briefing the Security Council today, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet stressed it is critical that the Government ensures access for UNAMID personnel.
Ms. Pillay reminded all parties that international humanitarian law is binding on both State and non-State actors, including armed groups, and called on them to respect their obligations, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians.
-The fighting is reported to have involved ground offensives and indiscriminate aerial bombardment by Government forces that failed to distinguish between civilian communities and military targets, Ms. Pillay said. -JEM forces are also reported to have deliberately placed themselves in areas heavily populated by civilians, thereby jeopardizing their safety.
The High Commissioner added her voice to the call made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued on Sunday, urging all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities. -The fighting must stop, and the warring parties need to join the peace process, she stressed.
The Joint UN-AU Special Representative for Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, is engaged in diplomatic and political consultations with the Sudanese Government and is scheduled to travel to Chad tomorrow.
Meanwhile, leaders from Labado, about 60 to 80 kilometres from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, met with UNAMID officials to discuss the prevailing security situation in the town. They indicated that people from surrounding villages have started moving towards Nyala.
Kilde: www.un.org
