[Korchagin]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/19/content_12672793.htm
Governor of Sudan's North Darfur State Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir on Saturday said security and humanitarian situation in Darfur has greatly improved, compared to previous years.

Kibir made the remarks as he was addressing the opening sitting of Darfur international conference on human rights, which kicked off in North Darfur State's capital of El Fasher Saturday.

"There is an obvious and positive change in Darfur in 2009 compared to previous year where Darfur conflict is now represented in three aspects including foreign interventions, personal ambitions for some rebel leaders and misleading media", Kibir said.

The Sudanese official further affirmed importance of the conference, saying "this conference would confirm the positive development of security and humanitarian conditions in Darfur and correct some misconceptions about the situation in the region".

Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Hassabo Mohamed Abdul-Rahman, addressing the conference, stressed commitment of the government to human rights in Darfur and in all parts of the country.

"Human rights is not a western theory but Islamic that has been called for by all divine laws", he said.

Haytham Manna, President of International Bureau for Humanitarian Non-governmental Organizations and Spokesperson of Arab Commission for Human Rights, for his part, stressed importance of making a success voluntary return program in Darfur and enabling the displaced people to return to their home areas.

The two-day conference, which is organized by the Sudan Human Rights Group and the Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel, would discuss two working papers on the impact of armed conflicts on implementing human rights in Darfur, and role of humanitarian workin peace building and resettlement.

A number of human rights activists from inside and outside Sudan take part in the conference, which is organized as part of Sudan's celebrations for the International Human Rights Day.