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Anti-Slavery International is calling on Sudan's President Omar
al-Bashir to end the pattern of abductions and slavery that has
existed in Sudan for the past 15 years.
Both the President, and Vice-President Ali Osman Taha, have publicly
denied the existence of slavery in Sudan. But when Mike Dottridge,
Director of Anti-Slavery International, the world's oldest international
human rights organisation, and an Algerian human rights lawyer visited
Khartoum and parts of South Darfur in Western Sudan (October 2000),
they found abductions have continued unabated for 15 years. This
has resulted in thousands of cases of enslavement and slavery-related
violations.
Even though the Government of Sudan formed the Committee for the
Eradication of Abductions of Women and Children (CEAWC) in 1999,
it has failed to end slavery.
"I am deeply concerned that despite its assurances, the
Government of Sudan has done little to prevent abductions and to
resolve the predicament of people remaining in slavery,"
says Mike Dottridge, Director of Anti-Slavery.
In January 2002, responsibility for CEAWC was transferred from
the Ministry of Justice to the President's Office. While this initiative
appeared to assuage concern about the Government's inaction, the
President's subsequent denial that slavery exists in the country
has alarmed Anti-Slavery.
In March 2001, Anti-Slavery submitted a report to Sudan Government
officials. In August the Chairman of CEAWC responded stating it
was considering the recommendations. A year on, virtually nothing
has been done.
The recommendations are based on Anti-Slavery's findings following
Mike Dottridge's visit to Khartoum, Nyala and Ad-Dha'ein. The mission
met government officials, interviewed survivors of slavery released
with the Government's support, and talked to the leaders of one
of the main tribes involved in abducting people.
| Summary of recommendations:
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- Government should take immediate action to stop attacks
on civilians;
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- Amend the law and clarify what practices associated with
abductions and keeping victims of abductions are illegal;
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- Announce a deadline after which heads of households responsible
for keeping victims of abduction should be prosecuted;
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- Re-establish a safe corridor to facilitate the return
of victims;
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- Ensure fair and proper treatment of Dinka girls or women
married into communities in South Darfur and West Kordofan.
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