The conditions in Darfur continue to worsen as this example [below] reminds us.

The UN peace-keeping force is needed bring some stability and basic human services to these innocent victims of violence. MSF continues to be a voice for people and to provide fundamental service to these people. Please consider how you can assist the people of Darfur with your material and political support.

~ David Swann

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Message from MSF (Doctors without Borders) Holland.

Dear Friends,

The MSF Holland team working in the Darfuri refugee camps in Farchana, Chad recently was presented a “manifesto” by a group of Darfuri women that we’ve been working with.

Here’s the background:The night of Thursday 5 June 2008, seven Sudanese refugee women and girls were tied-up, beaten with whips and sticks, and publicly humiliated by a group of men in Farchana camp. The event was heard and seen by many of the refugees in Farchana camp, some of whom reported the incident to MSF expats the following morning, using the word “torture” unprompted. Note well: this word has never before been used by MSF staff describing domestic or other violence in Farchana camp.

The beaten women, aged 13-30 years, were accused of prostitution. The victims have been “fined”; some money and goods have been seized from them and their families; several have had their or their family’s World Food Programme ration cards forcibly removed. The victims have been threatened with further violence if they do not pay the remainder of the fine.

Despite having been instructed not go to MSF health services, the victims presented themselves to MSF, some coming on their own to the Farchana camp health centre, and others brought by local police. The women were all visibly seriously injured, including several suspected fractured arms. It is alleged that all of the victims had their arms damaged or broken in order to prevent them from working for a time. All of the women fear further violence, including reprisals for speaking out about their abuse.

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MSF takes as one of its primary principles that of temoignage. It means that we bear witness to events like this and then advocate for change. Further, though, we strive to give those oppressed their own voice. The right to be heard. The women were all tended to medically, body and mind, and are still under our care and close watch. We also sounded a near-deafening alarm, one that has not stopped ringing in the ears of many of those responsible. Shortly after this event, a respected Sudanese refugee approached MSF and asked for help “to be heard: to ask those responsible for the freedom of women.” We then suggested she strike up a group and write what needed be said. The eight women—whose names are not mentioned because they could be penalized for taking voice—wrote the following. First in Arabic, and then translated into English and French by MSF. When I read it, I see their faces, and I hear their voices. Moreover, I hear the thunder.

The statement:

We, the women of Farchana Camp, have many worries and difficulties concerning the “deprivation of our liberties and absence of freedom of expression.”

Nevertheless, we relate them to you, one by one:

1) Deprivation of freedom of expression: women have no voice.
2) It is forbidden for women to look for work or to better their iving conditions. If a woman works in an organisation or in simple private employment, she must still see to all her responsibilities, such as caring for the sick, household management, being responsible for the children; the husband’s role is non-existent.
3) Lack of equality between the different wives if a man has ultiple wives (injustice).
4) Women cannot freely decide how to manage their own property such as money, gold, domestic objects, and cattle.
5) Restrictions over external communications, for example: visiting neighbours, family, friends and especially long distance travel. If a woman is allowed to travel long distances, she will not receive any money and will have to make do.
6) Lack or refusal of access to higher education, such as university, for women.
7) Girls are discouraged from attending school; responsibilities fall back on the mothers.
When a girl becomes pregnant, her mother is held accountable and
must take responsibility; the mother is therefore held accountable, which can bring negative reactions from her husband and lead to divorce.
9) Hard labour is done by women: carrying firewood, collecting grass for cattle, water transportation, shelter construction; all physically gruelling work is the responsibility of women.
10) Lack of trust in women: a woman cannot leave her home without her husband’s approval or knowledge, otherwise she will immediately be accused of having left in order to prostitute herself.
11) Worthlessness of women: a woman has no value, except for sexual pleasure. Men want to have many children, but do not think of their future.
12) Forced and/or precocious weddings are encouraged.
13) Even during NGO meetings, women’s voices are not being taken seriously; only the men are being heard.
14) Women have no recourse for their grievances and preoccupations. The space or organisation that will take into account their concerns does not exist.

We thank you and hope that women’s liberties and worth will become an important matter in the world.

On this day, Tuesday, June the 10th 2008
The Women of Farchana Refugee Camp