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Human Rights Violations in Sudan (by Alex Alkhoury, Michael Balazic, 
                                    Justin Losier, and Emanuel Tucsa)

Human rights violations occur in many countries throughout the world and are often perpetrated by governments of countries or rebel groups fighting against those in power. Various human rights advocy groups, including the United Nations, have condemned these violations. Despite this, they continue to persist in numerous countries. One such country where human rights violations are rampant is Sudan. The conflict has been taking place for about twenty years. However, it was only fourteen months ago that the conflict escalated. Within these months, the Sudanese government has committed human rights violations against the rebels and other peoples in southern Sudan as well as against its own people in the north. The human rights violations that have occurred in Sudan are in two different but equally terrible areas: patterns of government attacks, which include forced displacement policies and the bombing of civilians; and abuses by government and allied militias such as killings of civilians and abductions of children and adults.

Sudan’s government has inflicted great suffering on its people. A key element of this suffering has been the forced displacement policies. It is through the different types of actions the government has taken against the rebels that forced displacement has occurred. The destruction of civilian property, water sources, crops and the theft of livestock are all different contributing factors to forced displacement. In Sudan, the majority of the population are farmers or nomadic people, who rely on the land and their livestock for food and livelihood. By destroying land and livestock, the government is forcing citizens to move to other areas where they can pursue some form of livelihood, free of government tyranny. Taking this into consideration, it can be concluded that the Sudanese Government is violating Article 51 (Subsections 1-6, Protocol 1) of the Geneva Convention, which describes how individual civilians cannot be subjected to any military attack and should enjoy general protection against dangers arising from military operations. Such atrocious activities cannot be tolerated and clearly outline the government’s lack of concern for its citizens.

The bombing of civilians is yet another type of government attack violating the Sudanese people’s rights. Examples of recent civilian bombings include those in North Darfur, which have been taking place since 2003. Antonovs, high altitude bombers, MiGs and attack helicopters have all been bombing towns and villages in North Darfur, causing thousands of casualties along the path of destruction. These bombing raids are masked as government attacks on enemy rebels, though these towns often contain innocent people instead of the rebels the government claims are there. The bombings have not only targeted villages but also hospitals, health centres, and schools, causing many people within the towns to flee to nearby countries, receiving refugee status as well as safety. Such actions are clearly in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, in Article 3, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person.” Yet again, the government has shown a lack of concern for its citizens and a malicious attitude in looking for ways to solve its problems. Bombing its citizens is clearly a violation of the rights of citizens and a way in which the government has abused its power.

An additional means by which the government of Sudan is violating the rights of its people is through abuses by government and allied militias. In the on-going war between the government and rebels, the government has been making deliberate attacks through allied militias such as the janjaweed. An example of the abuses a government group such as janjaweed would carry out are illustrated in Human Rights Watch reports:

“The vast majority of the victims in village attacks—indiscriminate and targeted—have been men, many of them between twenty and forty-five years old. An unknown number, perhaps in the hundreds, of women and children have also been killed in direct, deliberate targeting by the militia forces and in crossfire during the attacks.”

This excerpt from a Human Rights Watch report shows the general trend for the killing of civilians, which has taken place since the war escalated 14 months ago. This trend violates Article 3, mentioned earlier, and Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” This trend of violence not only violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also shows utter disdain for the peaceful attitudes promoted by countries around the world.

Sudan’s human rights violations as exemplified above are unjustified; however, they run deeper than that. There are also breaches of Article 4 of the Universal Declaration, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.^” Men, women and children are being abducted and forced to serve as soldiers for the government’s allied militias. The abducted women are used as sex slaves, as reported by Human Rights Watch, who interviewed several and found that they were sexually abused and tortured. Abducted children are forced to fight for government-allied groups. If they refuse, they are executed. As unfortunate as they are, these situations, which are enacted by the ruthless allied groups, plague Sudanese people in large numbers. 

Human rights violations are deplorable and should not happen. Despite this fact, countries such as Sudan continue to oppress their people and violate their rights. This type of behaviour is seen through patterns of government attacks, which include forced displacement policies and the bombing of civilians, abuses by government and allied militias, killings of civilians, and abductions of children and adults. A solution for these types of events is difficult to provide, however, human rights problems can often be solved with a simple recognition of the human dignity that is seen in other countries. Sudan must look to the other countries in the international community if it hopes to have a stable nation without a populace in constant strife against the government or other organizations. Respect for humanity, as indicated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, must be given if Sudan is ever to be at peace.

Sources

“Abuses in Darfur By Government Forces.” Human Rights Watch. April 2004. 15 April 2004. http://hrw.org/reports/2004/sudan0404/4.htm#_Toc68525378>.

“Bombings and attacks by government armed forces.” Amnesty International. 3 February 2004. 15 April 2004. <http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR540082004>.

“Denial of protection and assistance of the displaced in Darfur.” Amnesty International. 3 February 2004. 15 April 2004. <http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR540082004>.

“Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol 1).” Office of the High Commission for Human Rights. 1997. 17 April 2004. <http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/93.htm>.

“Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations. 1998. 15 April 2004. <http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html>.

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