Press Release
April 7, 2003

Strong Condemnation of the Sudan Government's Murder
of the Reverend Shaikh Saleh Dakoro of the Massaleit People of DarFur

The heinous crime of assassinating Reverend Saleh Dakoro, the respectful Shaikh of the Massaleit, by the Sudan Government’s Arab-militia is another atrocious crime for which the Sudan Government is fully responsible and is legally accountable.

It was the Sudan Government that systematically persecuted by displacement, misappropriation of land, sequestration of animal wealth, and the worst dehumanizing government-supported Arab-militia acts of ethnic cleansing the Massaleit, Zagawa, Fur, and the other peaceful people of DarFur – the result of which increasing groups resorted to armed struggle against the injustices of the NIF’s appointed local authorities and central government.

• The Organization strongly supports the brave stand of the People of DarFur against the Sudan Governemnt to insure the full enjoyment of human rights and civil freedoms for the citizens of the region, indiscriminately.
• SHRO-Cairo urges the Sudan Government to disarm the government-controlled Arab-militias, as a vital step to start serious peace negotiation with the resistance groups of DarFur.
• The Organization reiterates earlier calls on the National Democratic Alliance, the Human Rights Commission, the Sudan Government, and the other concerned parties to convene an All-Sudanese Conference to ensure peace, democracy, and development in the country based on the NDA’s Comprehensive Political Solution of the Sudan’s Crisis.

Because the Sudan Government continues to act without compliance with international norms and the best of the Sudan laws that insure the human rights of people, the United Nations Human Rights Commission must continue to monitor the situation of human rights in Sudan through the renewal of the Special Reporter’s term of office and the other UN facilities and activities inside and outside the country.