CRES/007/10/2011: Resolution on the Situation in Darfur
We, the participants in the NGO Forum in the 50th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and 24th African Human Rights Book Fair held from 19th – 21st October, 2011 in Banjul, The Gambia
Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Charter of the United Nations Organisation as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which the Sudan is a state party and that as a state party the Sudan is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground;
Welcoming regional and international efforts to combat impunity, to uphold fundamental justice to the victims and to maintain durable peace in Darfur including the decision of the International Criminal Court to hold accountable individuals accused of planning, executing, condoning or encouraging the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur;
Highly appreciating efforts of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to address the situation in Darfur including its October-November 2009 visit to Sudan and recalling in this regard previous resolutions on Darfur adopted by the African Commission since its 35th Ordinary Session held in Banjul during the period 21st May – 4th June 2004;
Deeply concerned at the continuing grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Darfur despite numerous regional and international attempts to put an end to the armed conflict in that region through negotiated political settlement, most recently by the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur;
WE call on the African Commission to demand that the government of Sudan complies with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the AU Constitutive Act, the UN Charter and all other regional and international human rights treaties to which Sudan is a state party, and in particular comply with the following:
- Stop, with immediate effect, all military activities and attacks against civilians in Darfur and end the grave violations of human and peoples’ rights in particular the forced de-population of entire areas in the region, and to cease all support, including the protection of and provision of weapon and other military supplies to the Janjaweed militiamen.
- Allow immediate and unconditional return of international relief organisations to Darfur and provide the necessary support to all relief agencies and organisations in order to ensure immediate, full, safe and unhindered access to the war-affected population in Darfur and facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need thereof.
- Fully and unconditionally cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its efforts to bring to justice all persons suspected of perpetrating war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide in Darfur and arrest and hand over such individuals.
We further call upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to:
- Examine the report of the AU High-Level Panel on Darfur of 29 October 2009 and persuade the AU member states to follow-up scrupulously the implementation of the recommendations contained on that report especially those recommendations which have direct implication on the enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in Darfur.
- Urge all state members of the AU and the UN to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court by arresting and handing over all persons suspected of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur.
Done in Banjul – 21st October, 2011
