A Devastating Report on Darfur

by Michelle

category: Darfur & Sudan

Published November 10, 2009 @ 04:25AM PT

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After reading the latest UN report on Darfur, it should be abundantly clear to anyone that the Government of Sudan (GoS) is far from deserving cookies and gold stars.

In fact, no one comes out of the Report of the Panel of Experts looking good. The report, which covers a broad investigative mandate including arms embargoes and violations of international humanitarian law over the past year, exposes all actors in the Darfur conflict -- the governments of Sudan and Chad, the rebels of both countries, and a three-page list of corporations -- as the morally-depraved, power-hungry thugs they are, and in meticulous detail. It's a fascinating read, especially considering that the extensive documentation was assembled by the Panel despite significant obstruction of their work.

In fact, GoS stonewalling and obstructionism is repeatedly noted through the report, including intimidation and at least one case of arrest and detention of Darfuris interviewed by the Panel. Several government officials agreed to provide requested information and then were never heard from again. The Panel also noted multiple incidents of cosmetic measures implemented by GoS to feign the appearance of concern for its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, such as committees to combat sexual violence and decrees against torture and targeting civilians during combat operations; according to evidence uncovered by the Panel, these measures are hollow efforts to pay lip-service to human rights and civilian protection and actually change nothing about the situation of Darfuris on the ground.

Nothing raises suspicion like acting like you have something to hide.

The report offers further devastating evidence of the breakdown of humanitarian services following the March 4 expulsion of 13 international aid organizations -- gaps which the government claims have been filled -- "rampant" sexual violence and other atrocities committed against Darfuri civilians, the persistent use of child soldiers (particularly by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement), the failure of GoS to disarm Janjaweed militia, the high frequency of offensive military flights and bombing of civilian targets, and much, much more. The report states, "There is a systematic failture to protect civilians at the local, state and national levels," and places responsibility squarely on the shoulder of the Sudanese government.

The report also lists 15 international corporations with outstanding questions related to business activities with Sudan, including such notable names as Microsoft, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Renault. On one positive note, the report states that European company MAN ended its business relationship with Sudan once it realized that its products were being used for military purposes in Darfur.

The report was made public at an interesting time, not too long after the Obama administration released its Sudan policy review and the US Special Envoy is making valiant efforts to reach out to a frustrated activist community. (The editors of TNR even called for his removal last week.) In fact, the Envoy is taking activist questions during a live webcast today at 3pm -- I hope someone asks for his thoughts on the evidence in the Panel of Experts report.

[Photo from publik15's Flickr stream, Creative Commons.]