An Impact-Oriented Approach to Human Rights

UNAMID’s Human Rights Officers not only support victims of human rights violations, but also take an active role in capacity-building activities and awareness programmes, and work directly with Government institutions and local partners to strengthen justice and the rule of law.

By Emadeldin Rijal

 

In the early years of the Darfur conflict, which began more than one decade ago, the situation on the ground was so sensitive and volatile that it was difficult to address allegations related to human rights violations openly, and in particular those related to vulnerable groups, such as women and children. In recent years, however, and thanks in part to UNAMID’s work and the work of its partners here, there have been several notable developments in the approach to these issues.

Violence against women and other human rights issues are now openly discussed in Government legislative meetings, in civil society workshops across Darfur and in capacity-building training sessions conducted by UNAMID for various Government institutions. In addition, many of these human rights themes are now consistently brought up in discussions in special committees—consisting of community leaders, Government representatives and other stakeholders—in all areas of Darfur.

Mr. Christian Mikala, one of UNAMID’s Senior Human Rights Officers, says this coordinated and collaborative effort to address human right issues signals a positive shift. “Although the human rights situation is still tense and, despite many challenges, we are seeing an improvement as far as institution-building is concerned across Darfur,” he says. “A development worth noting is the establishment of institutions that are addressing human rights issues.” 

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In El Geneina, West Darfur, Sudanese Police Col. Abdulmalik Hassan and Lt. Col. Mohammed Abbas inspect the cells of the El Geneina detention centre that was recently renovated by a UNAMID-funded quick-impact project. Photo by Albert González Farran, UNAMID.