Following the influx of Sudanese refugees into the neighboring countries from 1988 to date, many have had their rights violated; they live in uncertainty and face a bleak future. The most outstandingly violated right in the conflict areas is the right to enjoy physical security and to live in peace.

Armed attacks on the refugee camps continue unabated and while they last, sexual and other forms of violence are committed against refugee women and girls who are most vulnerable. Young boys and girls from 17 and below have been forcibly conscripted into rebel groups.

There are also violations which are non violent but attack the dignity of refugees. These are perpetrated by the staff of humanitarian agencies working within the refugee camps. There is increasing lack of education opportunities, food security, shelter and health facilities. Domestic violence, deprivation of the right of women to own land, social discrimination and child abuse are becoming rampant.

These violations are of serious concern to the Sudan Human Rights Association (SHRA) and it has had to make several interventions in an attempt to ensure that the rights of these people are recognized and respected.

The first step was for SHRA to begin with information gathering, analysis, evaluation and dissemination. The findings are in respect to economic status, social well being and cultural aspects as they affect the refugees in their camps. These reports are disseminated widely to a wide range of stake holders who include, but are not limited to, policy makers, opinion leaders, humanitarian agencies and to sister NGOs.

SHRA also org anises seminars and personnel training workshops that draw participants from the refugee community, and representatives of regional and international organizations that are charged with the responsibility of dealing with refugee issues.

These seminars afford the refugees chances of learning about the concepts of human rights, the methods of channeling grievances, and the sharing of experience, knowledge and resources. This also enables the various grievances to share the concerns as related to the roles they are obliged to play towards the protection and promotion of the rights of refugees.

For the personnel, SHRA conducts workshops that focus on inculcating within them the basic principles and concepts of Human Rights activism. The trainees in turn impart the knowledge and skills acquired to the local refugee communities, they serve as human rights advocates. This ensures that the concerns of refugees are given prompt attention as these personnel provide a permanent link between the refugees and the policy makers and other human rights actors. As one Samuel Moga who has undergone these personnel training workshops observes, “These workshops have enlightened me more about human rights and I have learnt skills of handling disputes. I now understand better the refugee concerns and I am better placed to assist them in various ways.”

Asked about what he considers the major challenges for human rights advocates in refugee camps , Mr. Moga says “Basic needs which are largely inadequate include food, shelter, and health facilities.”

Mr. Moga also observes that the lack of educational facilities, and the scanty knowledge of basic rights and the enforcement mechanisms,the largely inadequate security for life and property and the absence of adequate planning for the developmental aspects of refugees are some of the major challenges for the personnel in refugee camps.

These personnel deal with large groups of women who are largely widowed, orphans; the disabled and groups of youth who do not have any access to education.

Mr. Moga feels that the Human rights standards in the refugee camps show a slight improvement to the previous years due to the training the personnel received. He thinks that because of the improvement in the basic requirements and handling, people are now beginning to demand for basic freedoms like that of association, movement, and development.

Asked about what the trained personnel have done to bring about these changes, Mr. Moga says “We started with sensitization and creation of awareness of human rights. This was by providing them with handouts, publications and counselling services. We also mobilized other activists to make an intervention.”

Mr. Moga, however, is of the view that SHRA could do a little more particularly by visiting more regularly, providing more educational handouts and to consider opening a branch office in one of the camps in the near future.

INSIDE:

SHRA’s Concern for Refugees’ Rights

Peace Caravan Held

The Impact of Civl War in Sudan

Landmines Ravage Southern Sudan

Challenges of integrating Refugees with Local Population

Root Causes of Refugees in Africa

Human Rights for All

Overview of SHRA’s Work in 1998

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The Sudan Monitor is published by:

The Sudan Human Rights Association (SHRA)
Katwe Road
(Behind Capco Petrol Station)
P.O Box 7327 Kampala Uganda
Tel: +256 (41) 250586
Fax: + 256 (41) 250586