African Union – ACHPR- 35th session – Banjul – may 2004
RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN DARFUR, SUDAN
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 35th Ordinary Session held
in Banjul from 21st May to 4th June 2004, in Banjul, The Gambia
Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Charter of
the United Nations, as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights (African Charter), and other regional and international human rights and
international humanitarian treaties, to which the Sudan is a party;
Mindful that, Sudan, as a State Party to the aforementioned instruments, is legally bound
to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments and respect the
human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any
grounds;
Recalling the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Situation of
Human Rights in the Darfur region of the Sudan, 7th May 2004;
Deeply concerned over the prevailing situation in Darfur, particularly the continuing
humanitarian crisis and the reported human rights violations committed in that region
since the beginning of the crisis such as the mass killings, sexual violence as a means of
warfare and the abduction of women and children;
Alarmed by the large number of internally displaced persons and the continuing exodus
of refugees mainly from Darfur;
Recalling the Resolution on Sudan adopted by the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights at its 17th Ordinary session in Lome, Togo;
Recalling the decision on the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, adopted by the Peace
and Security Council of the African Union on the 25th May 2004, urging the Parties to
fully and scrupulously implement the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement signed on 8
April 2004, in N’djamena, Chad, between the Government of Sudan (GoS), the Sudan
Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM);
Mindful of the mandate of the African Commission in terms of the Charter to “promote
human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa” and especially in a
situation of serious or massive violation of human and peoples’ rights (Article 58 (1));
1. Deplores the ongoing gross human rights violations in the Darfur region of Sudan;