Brussels, 23/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission, infuriated by the harassment of humanitarian agencies in Darfur, has demanded that all parties respect humanitarian law. In a press release published on 22 February, Commissioner Louis Michel says he is “deeply concerned by the continuing violence against the civilian population of Darfur and by the worsening of security conditions for humanitarian organisations”. He urged “all parties in the conflict to respect the staff and the integrity of humanitarian organisations and allow them to safely carry out their role of assistance and protection everywhere that the needs of the civilian population require it, as international humanitarian law demands”.
Since the Abuja peace agreement was signed, 12 aid workers have been killed in Darfur, there has been an increase in looting and car theft (more than 100 in 2006) and the security situation has further deteriorated over the last few weeks, with aid workers seriously beaten and sexually assaulted. The seriousness of these incidents has made the work of humanitarian organisations all the more difficult and dangerous, to the extent that some are now wondering whether to remain in Darfur. “Any reduction in humanitarian organisations present in Darfur would have an immediate catastrophic effect on the victims of the conflict, particularly on the two million displaced persons,” Mr Michel warned. He also called on the Sudanese authorities to implement immediately and effectively the moratorium for Darfur, which has just been renewed, to lighten the burden of administrative procedures on humanitarian organisations. (an)