(Gibreil Hamid, left, at UN Watch’s March 2007 activist summit for Darfur, at UN Human Rights Council)
Our friend Mr. Gibreil I.M. Hamid from the Darfur Peace and Development Centre has just sent UN Watch the following urgent message:
Dear Friends and Human rights Defenders.
As we all read these days, the Government of Sudan has intensified attacks against the civilians in the IDP Camps all over the Darfur region. The newest was on Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at Kalma Camp, which is about 17 km from the South Darfur Capital of Nyala. Three people have been killed and more than ten injured — all of this at a time when the international community is trying to send peacekeeping troops to Darfur.
I don’t know how long it will take them to reach Darfur, or how many people will die until they respond. We all know how difficult is the situation of the IDPs — these people need protection from the Sudanese regime.
Right now as I’m writing this news there is an attack in Zalinge, in western Darfur. I was talking to some people in the IDP camp, where the attackers are still in the camp. I was told that the Sudanese Forces were killing four men and many others were injured. I have asked the IDPs to tell me the names of the people who have been killed but they cannot go out because the police and the Janjaweed are still in the Camp. It’s very sad.
This is happening as the international community is preparing for the Libya Final Settlement talks between Darfur’s rebel groups and Khartoum. I’m asking you all to spread this news wherever you can. Help us to stop the suffering of these people. Also, I’m calling on the international community to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
Thanks a lot — God bless you all, Amen.
Best regards,
Gibreil
