Since the beginning of 2006, there has been a significant deterioration in the conditions faced by the many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working to bring relief to the civilian population devastated by the Darfur conflict and to expose violations of human rights.
The following table documents incidents of attacks on NGOs in Sudan since January 2006, as reported by NGOs in the field and by the United Nations. Although not exhaustive, it serves to highlight the gravity of the problem by demonstrating the volume of incidents and the range of difficulties faced by NGOs. The table covers all of Sudan, but the majority of incidents take place in the troubled Darfur region.
To read Human Rights First’s Statement on ‘Protection of NGOs and Human Rights Defenders in Darfur’, submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in advance of its Special Session on Darfur, click here.
The first half of 2006 saw a significant deterioration in the already difficult conditions faced by the many of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to bring relief to the civilian population devastated by the Darfur conflict. The humanitarian operation in Darfur is the world's largest, with 14,000 aid workers from both Sudanese and international NGOs on the ground. Other NGOs in Darfur work to monitor and expose the grave violations of human rights that have been commonplace throughout the conflict.
The Sudanese government has a long history of persecution of NGOs and human rights defenders throughout the country. It has consistently inhibited the ability of those organizations and individuals to bring relief to Sudan's large conflict-affected populations, and has been particularly harsh on those attempting to document and publicize human rights violations. It has also demonstrated a long-held suspicion of international organizations operating within its borders, as exemplified in a law passed in February 2006 (the Organization of Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act), which requires "non-interference by foreign and international organizations in the internal affairs of the Sudan, to the extent that these infringe upon the sovereignty of the country".
This kind of obstruction has intensified in the Darfur region since the outbreak of conflict and the beginning of the massive relief operation there in 2003. As well as obstruction from the government, humanitarian aid agencies have frequently been victims of attacks, usually robberies of food and equipment, by rebel and government-backed militias.
Jan Pronk, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to Sudan, said in August 2006 that the number of attacks on NGOs in Darfur was 75 percent higher in the first half of 2006 than in the previous year. He also reported at that time that the number of attacks on members of the African Union peacekeeping force had increased by 900 percent compared with 2005. Since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in May 2006, bouts of inter-rebel fighting and military operations by the Government of Sudan have brought about a drastic increase in the overall level of violence in the region. July was the worst month to date for attacks on humanitarian workers, with nine deaths. By October, the total number killed this year had reached twelve. Operating in such conditions, NGOs and humanitarian aid workers are often unable to seek safety for themselves or for the people that they are trying to help.
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How to Use
This Table
The database of incidents of harassment of NGOs is categorized according to the date and location of attacks, attack types, the targets of attacks and the alleged perpetrators of attacks. Searching for criteria from any of these categories will produce a list of all incidents that matched your search. For example, by selecting "Sudanese Armed Forces" in the drop-down search field for "Alleged Perpetrator" you will get a list of all incidents of obstruction of NGO operations allegedly perpetrated by the Sudanese Army. Please click on the links below for a glossary of terms used within the table or for a map showing the location of the various incidents.
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| Month |
Year |
Town |
State |
Target Type |
Alleged Perpetrator |
Event |
| December |
2007 |
|
Darfur |
UN Agency and All NGOs |
Sudanese Government |
South Darfur's governor criticised U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes for saying security had worsened in the region, and said aid workers could enter any area they wanted. Non-governmental organisations (NGO) told Holmes of a series of serious incidents in the four months since a U.N. resolution was passed authorising 26,000 U.N.-AU peacekeepers to deploy to Darfur. Five aid workers have been shot and wounded, 34 temporarily abducted or physically or sexually assaulted, three truck drivers contracted to transport aid killed and humanitarian compounds raided 18 times. They told Holmes there were also 61 vehicle hijackings. One worker for an international NGO was carjacked just outside Nyala, tied to a tree and beaten, aid sources said. Source |
| December |
2007 |
Arzeni |
West Darfur |
International NGO |
Armed Bandits |
On December 1, near Arzeni on the way from El Geneina to Kerenik, an INGO rented vehicle, used as an ambulance, was hijacked by five unknown men. The vehicle was returning to Kerenik where the INGO is based after transporting patients to El Geneina. Source |
| December |
2007 |
El Fasher |
North Darfur |
UN Agency |
Armed Bandits |
On December 1 a group of armed men attempted to forcibly enter a UN office in El Fasher. The attempt failed and the attackers fled the scene. Source |
| December |
2007 |
|
West Darfur |
International NGO |
Armed Bandits |
On December 4, three unknown armed men attempted to break in at INGO office but failed after they were noticed by one of the neighbors. Source |
| December |
2007 |
Um Shalaya |
West Darfur |
UN Agency |
Armed Bandits |
On December 3, a private car of a UN staff member was carjacked on the road between Um Shalaya and Mornei by unknown armed men. No injuries were reported. Source |
| December |
2007 |
Goz Boora |
West Darfur |
|
Armed Bandits |
On December 3, a commercial truck was ambushed on the way back from Goz Boora after delivering food to internally displaced persons (IDPs). During the incident the truck driver was injured and the vehicle keys and battery was taken by the perpetrators. Source |
| December |
2007 |
Ed Deain |
South Darfur |
National NGO |
Armed Bandits |
On December 3, two unknown persons forcibly entered an NGO food distribution center inside El Neem IDP Camp near Ed Deain and took at gunpoint 27 bags of sugar. GoS Police traced the perpetrators to El Erada village, about 25 km northeast of Ed Deain. Two perpetrators managed to escape and three others were arrested. Source |
| December |
2007 |
Between Nyala and Menawashi |
South Darfur |
International NGO |
Armed Bandits |
On December 6, unknown armed men stopped a commercial truck rented by an INGO at gunpoint en route from Nyala to Menawashi and looted the driver’s money and personal effects. The truck was later allowed to proceed. Source |
| December |
2007 |
S Kass |
South Darfur |
UN Agency |
Armed Bandits |
On December 6, a convoy of four UN trucks was stopped by five armed men in a location 18km South of Kass town. The attackers looted money from one of the drivers but fled when a bus with a GoS Police escort approached. Source |
| December |
2007 |
SW of Zalingie |
West Darfur |
International NGO |
Armed Bandits |
On December 14, an unknown armed group stopped two vehicles belonging to an INGO based in Garsila. The perpetrators took the two vehicles and abducted the driver. Source |
