Sudanese doctor targeted for exposing abuses in Darfur publishes her story

10th July 2008
A Darfuri doctor who was tortured for speaking out against the atrocities committed by the Janjaweed militia in the Sudanese conflict will speak publicly about her journey of exile to coincide with the release of her book.

Halima Bashir's inspiring story of survival has been captured by co-author and journalist Damien Lewis in Tears of the Desert, released today (July 10). Launching the book at the Southbank Centre next week, Halima will speak exclusively about her life in Darfur and about the genocide which she witnessed and narrowly escaped.

Born into the Zaghawa tribe in the remote western deserts of the Sudan, Halima left her small village to study medicine before working in a small hospital in the northern region of Darfur. There, she treated those who fell victim to a war that has claimed an estimated 200,000 lives.

"I saw people burnt when their villages were set alight," says Halima, who attends weekly sessions at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. "I knew that I was part of this war and it was a part of me. Everyone was turning against everyone and the whole country was in flames."

Halima saw first hand the devastation wreaked by the Janjaweed militia, supported by the Sudanese government, as they targeted a local school where children as young as eight were beaten and gang raped.

Her determination to expose the reality facing her country prompted Halima to speak to NGOs and journalists investigating the incident. Ultimately, this sealed her own fate when the authorities came looking for her. She was bound in rope, dragged to the outskirts of the village and gang raped. Her captors told her it was a lesson in what rape really meant.

Told that they had decided to allow her to live because "we know you'd prefer to die," Halima fled the genocide in, claiming asylum in the UK.

Three years on, Halima is still contending with the UK asylum system in a bid to be granted protection as a refugee. Despite repeated refusals by the Home Office and despite the uncertainty with which she and her family live, always fearing a return to the country they fled, Halima has remained outspoken about her personal situation and the threats facing her country.

Tears of the Desert, described as both tragic and inspiring, is published by Hodder and Stoughton. Extracts from the book will be read during the Act for Darfur event organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sudan on July 22 at the House of Commons.

* Halima Bashir will give an exclusive preview of her book Tears of the Desert on Friday, July 18 at the Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, For ticket details, contact the Royal Festival Hall box office: 0871 663 2586.