UN demands immediate release of staff detained in Sudan's Darfur

UN demands immediate release of staff detained in Sudan's Darfur

2011-05-20 05:17:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Thursday demanded the immediate release of two staff members detained in Sudan's Darfur area.

The two civilian members of staff were arrested by Sudanese authorities in contravention of the Status of Forces Agreement between UNAMID and the Government of Sudan, said Ibrahim Gambari, Joint Special Representative of UNAMID.

According to the agreement, the government has to promptly inform the Joint Special Representative if there are suspicions that any UN staff member has committed a criminal offense.

Then, authorities have to present Gambari evidence of the alleged offense. UNAMID will conduct any necessary investigation and subsequently agree with the government whether or not criminal proceedings should be instituted.

Gambari said that so far no information has been received and the staff members remain arrested despite having functional immunity; a protection for all UN staff from charges that might be leveled against them for activities related to their official duties.

The arrests came one day after Sudanese armed forces carried out a round of air strikes targeting the village of Sukamir, North Darfur. No casualties were reported but access to the village was restricted.

UNAMID sent a team to the nearby town of Kuma and met with the residents to asses the situation. Authorities said that the access was restricted due to security threats and ongoing military operations.

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the team of experts tasked with monitoring the sanctions imposed in Sudan's Darfur region through February 19, 2012.

Darfur has been severely affected by the armed conflict between rebels and government forces. In February 2003, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebelled against the Sudanese government due to the oppression of non-Arab people in Darfur.

After years of fighting, the Sudanese government and the JEM agreed on a ceasefire in February 2010. An estimated 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million others displaced so far.

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