Post by Djevara on Jun 16, 2004 12:06:39 GMT
( Sc: Amnesty International Website )
Sudan:
Act now to end the human rights crisis in Darfur
Sudanese boys in a refugee camp in Chad.
©AI/Philip Cox
The latest evidence from Darfur, western Sudan, reveals a population in crisis. An estimated one million people have been forced to flee their homes. More than 10,000 have been killed. Human rights violations are being carried out on a massive scale by the Janjawid, a government-backed militia, which often operates alongside government troops.
The testimonies collected by Amnesty International all bear witness to what appears to be a systematic campaign of abuse. Men have been killed inside mosques, women raped in front of their husbands and old women killed when their homes have been set alight – all acts designed to humiliate and destroy the fabric of community life, over and beyond the individual atrocity.
"I was at home when the military came along with the Janjawid on horse back and on camels. They surrounded the village, set fire to a number of houses and shot at people, my brother was killed in front of me."
A refugee interviewed by AI delegates, May 2004.
Civilians in Darfur and those who have fled into the neighbouring country of Chad live in fear of further attacks and face a daily struggle to survive due to insufficient humanitarian assistance.
Although governments around the world, together with organizations such as the African Union, the European Union and the Arab League have lined up to condemn human rights violations in Darfur, their fine words have failed to translate into decisive action.
The international community should have the courage of its convictions and apply the strongest pressure on the government of Sudan to rein in the Janjawid and end human rights violations in Darfur.
For more information on the events and WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP, visit www.amnesty.org
Sudan:
Act now to end the human rights crisis in Darfur
Sudanese boys in a refugee camp in Chad.
©AI/Philip Cox
The latest evidence from Darfur, western Sudan, reveals a population in crisis. An estimated one million people have been forced to flee their homes. More than 10,000 have been killed. Human rights violations are being carried out on a massive scale by the Janjawid, a government-backed militia, which often operates alongside government troops.
The testimonies collected by Amnesty International all bear witness to what appears to be a systematic campaign of abuse. Men have been killed inside mosques, women raped in front of their husbands and old women killed when their homes have been set alight – all acts designed to humiliate and destroy the fabric of community life, over and beyond the individual atrocity.
"I was at home when the military came along with the Janjawid on horse back and on camels. They surrounded the village, set fire to a number of houses and shot at people, my brother was killed in front of me."
A refugee interviewed by AI delegates, May 2004.
Civilians in Darfur and those who have fled into the neighbouring country of Chad live in fear of further attacks and face a daily struggle to survive due to insufficient humanitarian assistance.
Although governments around the world, together with organizations such as the African Union, the European Union and the Arab League have lined up to condemn human rights violations in Darfur, their fine words have failed to translate into decisive action.
The international community should have the courage of its convictions and apply the strongest pressure on the government of Sudan to rein in the Janjawid and end human rights violations in Darfur.
For more information on the events and WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP, visit www.amnesty.org
