IFSW signs statement on the situation in Darfur |
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Together with a number of other non-govermental organizations, IFSW has signed the letter below to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour
Dear Mme High Commissioner,
In light of the "No Action" vote of the UN General Assembly on November 23, 2005 which prevented any debate on the resolution introduced by the European Union concerning the tragic situation in Darfur, Sudan, we as nongovernmental organizations call upon you to examine alternative ways of dealing with such serious and consistent human rights violations. [Many of our organizations have been involved in efforts to strengthen human rights procedures within the UN, most recently by presenting proposals for a Human Rights Council.]
The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Sudan and other special procedures--and you yourself--have stressed the seriousness of the situation in Darfur, and the climate of impunity that has prevented any effective action to date against those known to have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations in Darfur.
In introducing the resolution for the European Union, Britain's UN Ambassador Emrys Jones Parry confirmed that "civilians are still being killed, rape is still widespread, and the situation of hundreds of thousands of displaced people remains dire." The resolution stressed "the continuing climate of impunity in the Darfur region, particularly in the area of violence against women and girls."
Indeed, the situation in Darfur engages the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, as systematic and multiple rape seems to be increasingly used there as a weapon of war and terror. The use of rape in such circumstances has been recognized internationally as a war crime. Increased funding and practical and political support would be needed to enable the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women to intervene effectively in this situation.
Returning to the blocking of the resolution in the General Assembly, we note that the "No Action" motion repeatedly used in the Commission on Human Rights to prevent debate on serious human rights violations. If this culture of "No Action" spreads to the General Assembly's discussion of human rights, there may be a permanent block on addressing such issues no matter what reform of the UN’s human rights architecture may be undertaken.
Therefore we believe that there needs to be a serious examination of alternative approaches, in particular the strengthening of the mandate and independence of the Special Procedures. Ways in which non-governmental organizations can better facilitate the gathering of information needs to be examined as well as other forms of cooperation between Special Procedures and NGOs.
We know that you are concerned with the strengthening of the Special Procedures. The "No Action" blockage in the UN General Assembly may be the "writing upon the wall", making this concern all the more essential. We would be happy to cooperate in your further consideration of these matters.
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page last updated on 29.11.2005
