A/HRC/7/22
page 14
sentenced by the Criminal Court to eight years of forced labour and a fine of 6 million euros. The
Special Rapporteur is concerned, however, that the children have not been reunited with their
families and are reportedly still in an orphanage.
V. EASTERN SUDAN
55. The Special Rapporteur reported on the situation in Eastern Sudan in her report to the
General Assembly in 2006 (A/61/469, paras. 39-44) and remains deeply concerned that the
victims of a massacre in Port Sudan have still not received justice. On 18 February 2005, the
Government established an investigation committee. The findings have still not been published
and no one has been prosecuted in relation to these events.
VI. TRANSITIONAL AREAS
56. Reports have been received of tribal clashes in Ed Damizin (Blue Nile State), resulting
partly from nomads moving their livestock into farmland to graze. Some of the flare-ups are
thought to be due to the fact that many Arab nomads continue to be enlisted members of the
Popular Defence Forces. In November 2007, clashes between Fallata and nomads were reported
near Bikori in Geissan locality (Blue Nile State); several people were stabbed and killed. Even
more serious clashes between Arab nomads and Hausa locals were witnessed near the village of
Bados in Rosaris locality, culminating in the killing of one Arab nomad and two Hausa men.
57. An annual Dinka Ngok and Misseriya migration peace conference was held in Abyei
(Southern Kordofan State) in November 2007. Supported by the United Nations, the meeting
brought together several Misseriya and Dinka leaders from all over Abyei to discuss conflict
prevention and address human rights violations by preventing inter-tribal cleansings within the
communities in the Abyei area. Participants decided to deal with cases of murder in relation to
possible conflicts which may arise following the migration season.
58. The conflict between the Nuba and the Misseriya in the area of Abu Junuk
(Southern Kordofan) has resulted in 3,000 people being displaced in the past two months.
According to sources, the Nuba are surrounded by the Misseriya, who are blocking the water
point, which has resulted in a severe water shortage in the area.
59. Reports have been received of SPLM abuses and violations against the civilian population
owing to religious or political affiliation. Violations by SPLM police and Government police in
Southern Kordofan area have also been reported. On 11 November 2007, a priest from a northern
episcopal church was arrested and detained by police in Kurchi (Southern Kordofan State), an
area controlled by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Police officers
tied his wrists and ankles behind his back and then beat him with a whip. The priest’s dead body
was found in the woods on 16 November. According to a police report, the death was caused by
two or three bullets fired from a Kalashnikov. In December 2006 and January 2007, 12 members
of the church were arrested by the 25th SPLA brigade in Kurchi and held for up to nine weeks.
The tension has taken on political overtones, with followers of the church in the Kurchi area
accused of supporting the National Congress Party. The Sudanese People’s Liberation Army
(SPLA) authorities have described the conflict as inter-tribal rather than political. In another
incident, on 15 November 2007, northern episcopal churchgoers were ordered to dismount with
their luggage by Kurchi police while travelling to Kurchi. A group of four priests and a sheikh
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