Government-backed militia in Sudan's Darfur region continue to rape women refugees with complete impunity, according to a UN report which said the overall humanitarian situation in Darfur was worsening. "Sexual violence and rape continue to be reported in all three regions of Darfur," said Jose Diaz, a spokesman for UN High Commission on Human Rights, based on a report from a team of UN observers in the war-torn western region. "Women and girls are afraid to leave the camps... there is widespread impunity because the police refuse to register complaints by IDPs (internally displaced persons)," he told reporters on Friday.
"We have to do something about it!"
"Right. Let's have a meeting." |
In their November report, the 16 observers also reported attempts by the Sudanese government to forcibly relocate civilians who have sought shelter from the fighting in camps in South Darfur, notably in Al Ger and Otash. Diaz said that the observers had brought all known cases of abuse to the attention of the authorites, to little effect. Concerning the forced displacement of civilians, Diaz said that UN staff were often powerless to act because the relocations were "undertaken by police and law enforcement officials". |