DATE=4/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247783
TITLE=SUDAN / HUMAN RIGHTS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A U-N SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ACCUSES BOTH THE SUDANESE
GOVERNMENT AND SOUTHERN REBELS OF GROSSLY VIOLATING THE HUMAN
RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE
INVESTIGATOR IS ALSO CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO
SLAVERY IN SUDAN.
TEXT: THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR, LEONARDO FRANCO, SAYS THE
ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION IN SUDAN HAS DONE NOTHING TO STOP
THE VIOLATIONS OF POLITICAL FREEDOMS AND OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE
SUCH AS ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS.
HE SAYS THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT PARTICULARLY TARGETS HUMAN RIGHTS
ADVOCATES AND POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS AND STUDENT LEADERS. HE CALLS
UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO CURTAIL THE ROLE OF THE STATE SECURITY
AGENCIES WHICH, HE SAYS, ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.
MR. FRANCO ACCUSES BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE REBEL SUDAN
PEOPLES' LIBERATION ARMY OF FIGHTING THE WAR IN, WHAT HE CALLS,
TOTAL DISREGARD OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF
HUMANITARIAN LAW.
/// FRANCO ACT ONE ///
THE VIOLATIONS HAVE GENERATED TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES SUCH
AS SUMMARY KILLINGS, BOMBING OF CIVILIAN TARGETS
INCLUDING HOSPITALS, CONSCRIPTION OF CHILD AND UNDER-AGE
SOLDIERS, PLANTING OF LANDMINES, FORCED DISPLACEMENTS,
RAPE, AND ABDUCTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
/// END ACT ///
SUDAN'S CIVIL WAR HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 16 YEARS. DURING THAT
TIME, THE REPORT SAYS BETWEEN ONE-POINT-SIX AND
ONE-POINT-NINE-MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.
FOUR-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTERNALLY DISPLACED.
AND 360-THOUSAND HAVE BECOME REFUGEES.
MR. FRANCO SAYS THE WAR HAS WORSENED THE PROBLEM OF SLAVERY IN
SUDAN. HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT USES NOMAD ARAB TRIBESMEN FROM THE
NORTH -- CALLED MURAHELEEN -- TO ESCORT A MILITARY SUPPLY TRAIN
TO THE GARRISON TOWN OF WAU.
/// FRANCO ACT TWO ///
AS WAR BOOTY IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SERVICES, THE NOMADS
ARE GIVEN FREE REIGN TO PERPETRATE DESTRUCTIVE ATTACKS
AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION, INCLUDING THE ABDUCTION
OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE TAKEN UP NORTH TO BE
SUBJECTED TO FORCED LABOR AND OTHER CONDITIONS AMOUNTING
TO SLAVERY.
/// END ACT ///
THE U-N INVESTIGATOR SAYS THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE TO
END THE PRACTICE OF SLAVERY. HE IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO
ACCEPT AN INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF SLAVERY AND
WAYS AND MEANS TO ERADICATE IT. THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT DENIES
THE EXISTENCE OF AN INSTITUTIONALIZED SLAVE TRADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
08-Apr-99 8:00 AM EDT (1200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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