Darfur This Week

This week I posted several articles that focused on constructive steps toward democracy in Sudan, reaffirmation of the need for peace in Sudan by the Sudanese President and efforts toward forging dialogue between the rebel movements and humanitarian organizations. Also, in the news, is the trial of Mr. Abdul Aziz Ashur, a member of JEM, a suspect of the attacks on Khartoum.
Mr. Abdul Aziz Ashur is being charged under criminal law and anti-terrorism legislation. His defense attorney, Satie Mohamed al-Haj, calls the formation of the special court unconstitutional and that it goes against his client’s legal rights. Terrorist charges have been made against 39 suspected rebels in the attacks and Human Rights Watch has asked for action since rebels were complaining of mistreatment.
Formation of the Anti-Terrorism Special Courts set up by Sudan’s government in response to the May 10, 2008 attacks have been criticized by Human Rights Watch. The reason for the criticism has been that the courts do not meet the minimum international fair trial standards. The Courts were created under Sudan’s 2001 Anti-Terrorism Law. Lawyers have complained that they have limited or no access to the clients and that the court proceedings are arbitrary. Sudanese law states that a defendant can be convicted on the basis of confessions made in detention or during coerced interrogations.
The Special Court in Khartoum has refused defense lawyer’s access to clients and assigned the cases to a legal aid lawyer. Another violation of international law noted by HRW is that the defendant’s right against self-incrimination has been stripped. Filing of cases must be within seven days of the judgment, which HRW states isn’t enough time for an appeal.
Special courts in Sudan have been set up in the past to fend off UN demands that Sudan hand over Darfur war crimes suspects to an international court.
In another story, the British Foreign Minister David Milibank has expressed the UK’s readiness in hosting peace talks in London. However, there are contradictory statements being made by Miliband’s Sudanese counterpart Deng Alor about Britan’s role in helping Sudan gain stability and what was discussed with the British Foreign Minister.
In another story, The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in cooperation with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will hold a 3-day workshop for Darfur rebel movements. The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Unity Command will attend. The goal of the workshop is to facilitate greater awareness of key humanitarian related issues and reach a commitment to ensure improved protection of civilians and humanitarian organizations in Darfur. Various UN agencies will also participate.
Additionally, this week, Sudan’s parliament approved a new electoral law. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement called for elections no later than 2009, but efforts to implement have been delayed. The new law benefits women and introduces proportional representation. This will allow a parliamentary voice to vulnerable areas. The law has the support of the SPLM, but it criticized the gender segregation and concern about the marginalization of the east and Darfur. The SPLM deputy secretary general, Yasser Arman, shared that unless the Darfur situation is improved there is a threat to fair and democratic elections. He suggests a neutral election commission.
Finally, on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the National Salvation Revolution, President al-Bashir in a televised address reiterated his commitment to reach a peaceful solution to the Darfur issue. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the peace agreement and to completing the Western Salvation Highway and the expansion of medical services. He shows dedication to free and fair elections. He also showed that he is interested in ongoing talks with all the political parties and he noted that civil society organizations want to reach a lasting comprehensive solution. He made a call out to some neighboring countries to regard the principles of positive interaction, good neighborliness, nonintervention and safeguarding Sudan’s sovereignty.