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In collaboration with the National Council for childcare, the
center for Society Studies held a forum entitled “smuggling
and selling Darfurian children” on Wednesday 5.11.2007 in
AL Shaheed Al Zubeir Hall for Conferences.
In
the beginning of the session, the Ministry of Humanitarian
Issues made a presentation of the events leading up to the
abduction of the children and the means involved in the
crime and the camouflage required. The presenter, in
addition, hinted to an implication of other organizations on
the grounds that the transportation of the children from
Darfur to Abachi is virtually impossible without aid from
organizations on the ground. The discussion in the forum
was initiated by Dr. Saed Abd Allah Saed, Principal of the
Ministry of Social Care, children and mothers, who pointed
out the organization responsible for the act has a name with
religious connotations denoting the Salvation Ark.
Moreover, he emphasized the mystery that enshrouded the
whole operation, concluding that these children will be put
on sale for blatant licentious purposes or sale of their
human organs or like acts. But, ultimately Dr. Saed, made
the conjecture that these children will be christianized and
subsequently be employed to Christianize the whole region.
Also he enumerated the endeavors exerted by the official
bodies since the uncovering of the operation, calling for
speedy trials for all those involved and a re-evaluation of
the activities of the foreign organizations in Sudan, taking
into account the interests of the country.
His
speech was followed by that of Mr. Abd Allah Suleiman
Mohammed, Director of Protection Administration Commission
for Refugees. He enlightened the audience on their work in
the field of refugees, attacking the actions of the French
organization and refuting any claims that the act is related
in any way to the laws regulating re-settlement of refugees,
and concluding that the whole thing is pure and simple
piracy and abduction.
Then the Ambassador Ilham Shanteer, Manager of the Human
Rights Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke,
stressing the efforts made by her Ministry to follow up this
issue and outlining the international agreements governing
child rights. In this context, she pointed out that the
action of the French organization is firstly is a flagrant
violation of the international and human laws and secondly
of the sovereignty of the countries of Sudan and Chad. She
ended by stating that the episode is a criminal act,
accusing the perpetrators of attempting to enslave the
children, pointing out that her ministry has called on the
French authorities to hold the organization accountable and
punish it. She also commended the role played by Chad in
uncovering the crime.
After this the spokesperson was the representative of UNICEF
in Sudan, who started by identifying the position of UNICEF
in this issue, stating that the incident breaches the
international laws and norms, stressing the importance of
legal actions that respect national and international
laws. He also commented on a previous statement accusing
other organizations, especially French ones, of connivance
by advising against making generalizations. Also, he said
that UNICEF is currently attempting to identify these
children and their families prior to their re-integration,
voicing the position of UNICEF and its preference for orphan
children in their societies and environments and being
adopted accordingly. He concluded by pointing out that
almost all surviving orphaned children in regions of
conflict are cared for by relatives.
On
his parts Mr. Mohammed Dagdag from the Ministry of Justice
claimed that the event constituted a crime according to the
Sudanese and Chadian criminal laws. He also expressed
surprise that the International Criminal Court has not made
a statement, ascribing it to the double standards adopted.
At
the end of the forum, Mr. Hassabo Ab Al Rahman, commissioner
of Humanitarian and Voluntary Action described the accident
as a complex and organized crime, decrying the late and
guilty moves made by the International organizations
including UNICEF. He also called for a firmer stance and an
international inquiry, since the crime took place within the
sight of UNICEF and the commission for Refugees. He said
that the enquiry should investigate the activities of
organizations working in eastern Chad. Such a crime was not
unique: a similar one with the knowledge of UNICEF was made
to transport children from Kakuman camp in Southern Sudan.
He ended by complimenting the Chadian government and its
government, denouncing the attitude of the French President
who landed his plane in Chad to evacuate some of those
involved. Mr. Hassabo concluded by calling people to
support the Chadian stance.
Commentators included many specialists and concerned people
from the organisations of the civil and non-governmental
organizations. The forum was managed by Ustaza Ameera Al
Fadhil, Secretary-General of the National Council for
Childhood. |
