Sudan: The humanitarian situation in Darfur - Dakar Declaration

Dakar NGO Declaration on the Humanitarian Situation in Darfur, Western Sudan,
March 2008
We, representatives of the undersigned civil society groups and individuals:
Welcoming the convening of the 11th ordinary session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Dakar, and that this historical occasion represents an opportune moment for the leaders of the Muslim World to take stock of the progress of work on issues and projects addressed in their declarations at the 10th Ordinary Summit (2003) and the Extraordinary Summit (2005), and call on leaders of the Muslim World to devote time, energy and resolve to address emerging issues that affect the Muslim Ummah, particularly the humanitarian situation in Darfur and also Palestine.
We recognize and adopt without reservation the statement focused on Darfur which was prepared by Arab organizations for presentation to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, including the recommendation that States of the OIC call for the end of violations of international humanitarian law and for the ending of the illegal blockade on Gaza. We are mindful that the 11th ordinary session of the Islamic Summit Conference is held under complicated and exceptional circumstances facing the Muslim World and Muslims in many parts of the world. Such circumstances necessitate serious and firm action from the Muslim leaders vis a vis the many challenges and concerns at stake. We condemn the growing phenomena of xenophobic sentiments, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim and anti-Islam incidents and manifestations of bigotry and intolerance in some parts of the world, especially in the West. Equally condemnable is the ceaseless increase in political discourse in the West against migrant Muslim communities and Islam in general. Such incidents are, by and large, pervasive and more often than not they are tolerated, condoned or encouraged in certain Western countries under the pretexts of freedom of expression, speech and opinion.

We are cognizant of the objectives of the Organisation of Islamic Conference as enshrined in its Charter. We wish to reaffirm the principles in the agreements made to date; the Dhaka Declaration on Human Rights in Islam adopted by the 14thsession of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in December 1983, the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam adopted by ICFM at its19th on 5 August 1990, the Covenant on the Rights and Care of the Child in Islam adopted by the 7thIslamic Summit Conference in 1994. This covenant emphasized that basic rights and public freedoms in Islam are an integral part thereof that no one has a prerogative to interrupt, violate, or disregard them. We are mindful that the religion of Islam advocates high moral values and it commands Muslims to uphold the values of peace, and respect for the safety and personal integrity of the human person. Islam forbids indiscriminate and unlawful killings, forced displacement of civilians in particular women, children and the elderly; the destruction of lives and livelihoods, including desecration of places of worship, which constitute crimes abhorrent to the Islamic faith and all norms of civilized life.

We are deeply concerned at the grave violations of human rights in Darfur, in particular, reports of systematic attacks on civilians, destruction and burning of villages, targeting of centres for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and civilians; the removal by force of, inter alia, , Zaggawa and Massaleet communities from their villages; the relocation of IDPs to new areas away from their areas of origin and the lack of adequate protection of and assistance to civilians, by force or misinformation; the widespread recourse to rape and other forms of sexual violence against women, including against the girl child, as a means of warfare and the abduction and forced labour of civilians victims of the armed conflict in Darfur in flagrant violation of the teachings of Islam. We also note that this conflict is now affecting the wider region, including Chad and the Central African Republic, displaying many of the same characteristics.

In this regard, we take note of Article 3, Sub-Articles (a and b), of the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam which stipulates that: “in the event of the use of force and in case of armed conflict, it is not permissible to kill non-belligerents such as old men, women and children. The wounded and the sick shall have the right to medical treatment; and prisoners of war shall have the right to be fed, sheltered and clothed ... It is prohibited to fell trees, to damage crops or livestock, and to destroy the enemy’s civilian buildings and installations by shelling, blasting or any other means.” Highly appreciative of the role played by some members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in resolving the humanitarian crisis in Darfur; we call upon them to further remind all parties to the conflict about their legal and moral duties toward the people of Darfur, and to undertake further steps to persuade the government of Sudan to respect its obligations under the Charter of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and other relevant regional and international human rights agreement to which Sudan is a state party.

In particular, we call on the Organization of the Islamic Conference to:

1. Press all parties to the conflict to put an immediate halt to all attacks against civilians in Darfur and to agree a cessation of hostilities as a precursor to a sustainable ceasefire and resolution of the crisis, and engage as appropriate to urge the parties to the conflict to the negotiation table;
2. Urge member States of the OIC and others to pledge necessary means and support to the United Nations-African Union hybrid operation in Darfur and call on the government of Sudan to facilitate its rapid and effective deployment;
3. Call on the government of Sudan to cease all support for the Janjaweed, including through the provision of supplies and weapons, and on external actors to cease support to all parties to the conflict;
4. Call on all parties to the conflict to cease attacks on humanitarian operations and provide the necessary support to international agencies and humanitarian organisations and ensure them immediate, full, safe and unhindered access to the conflict-affected people in Darfur in order to facilitate the delivery of the necessary relief material and assistance;
5. Take concrete steps to end the state of impunity and lawlessness and thereby help create conditions of security that permit civilians to safely and voluntarily return to their areas of origin. Measures taken by the government of Sudan, which affect IDPs including their removal to the so-called “safe designated areas,”should not create a situation of prolonged displacement or a permanent resettlement of IDPs away from their areas of origin. Occupation of villages from which IDPs have been forcibly expelled should be stopped and reversed;
6. Consistent with the values of Islam, oppose impunity and call for the implementation of appropriate accountability mechanisms; and insist on reparations for the damage done to the victims in Darfur and compensation for their losses;
7. Recognize the regional nature of the conflict in Darfur and welcome the Senegalese mediation efforts, and support the conclusion of a strong agreement with effective implementation ensuring peaceful relations between Chad and Sudan. Press for consolidation of peace in the wider Sudan and cooperation with the African Union to ensure an impartial mediation process within Chad;

Done at Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday, 9th March, 2008
Amnesty International-Senegal
The Darfur Consortium Organisation Nationale des Droits de l’Homme (ONDH)
RADDHO
RADDHO-Guinea WARIPNET